The learners and teachers at Bryanston High School staged a perfect adaptation of the timeless musical production of Grease at the school for the Sandton theatre-loving community.
According to the production’s director Ashleigh Venter, 108 learners auditioned to join the cast – and 28 were successful. Venter said that Grease took eight months to prepare for.
“I’ve always wanted to do Grease in my career – I always said I would do it once, and I had the perfect cast this year,” Venter said. “I had a talented male and female lead vocalist, as well as very talented other cast members that suited this production.”
BHS’s Grease explored several themes ranging from peer pressure to teenage pregnancy in a witty and entertaining manner. Venter expounds on why the production worked so well.
“I have a lot of kids who don’t fit in anywhere else,” said Venter. “This little cast, and the team that put everything together – the backstage crew, the sound and lighting – they all fit together here and feel like a family, and they support each other.”
Everything about BHS’s Grease was well done: the choreography was synchronous, the cast’s chemistry was electrifying, the band was extraordinary and the set and costume design was spectacular.
“I think that this cast struggled a bit with Grease because it’s not in their scope,” Venter admitted. “So, they’ve learned to balance academics and time, and get joy out of something – and not just do it for the accolade of a trophy or winning a race. It’s just that excitement that they feel on the stage.”
The acting principal of BHS, Jerome Lawrence, had nothing but high praise for all the participants in the staging of Grease.
“Proud of them – especially given that tonight is the culmination of months and months of dedication,” Lawrence said. “They’ve been here on Saturdays when everybody else is partying. They’ve been here on their holidays. They’re working together with dedicated teachers, so I am proud of them.”
According to Lawrence, the entire production was accomplished by learners working together with some teachers and their spouses.
“Because there are no professionals, it’s schoolkids with the assistance of some of our adult members, some husbands of staff members, and the kids who are working backstage, the kids who are working on the sound. It’s all in-house,” said Lawrence
Grease was staged at Bryanston High School in the school hall from August 10 – 15.
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