Ryedale Youth Theatre present Grease the Musical in Malton

This year’s Easter production from RYT is ‘Grease the Musical’, which will be pe

Grease is the word in Malton as youngsters from Ryedale Youth Theatre (RYT) take to the stage for a much-loved musical.

rformed at the Milton Rooms from April 1 to 4.

Grease opened on February, 5 1971 in Chicago, in a damp, drafty, former trolley barn called the Kingston Mines Theatre.

A non-professional cast of 18 actors played the first of its scheduled “four performances only” to a full house of 120 seats. Almost immediately the show was extended…then again, and again, and again. The rest, as they say, is history.

RECOMMENDED READING:

A year later, on February, 14 1972, Grease opened in New York. Within six months a national tour crossed the US and Canada. A company opened in Australia. The first London production opened at the New London Theatre with a young, unknown Richard Gere as Danny Zuko – soon the role eventually assumed by co-producer Paul Nicholas. Soon the foreign productions, touring companies and stock and amateur groups seemed to span the globe.

The T-Birds – Jack Robinson, Jonathan Stockhill, Lucas Dawson, Alexander Summers,

The huge success of the motion picture in 1978 resulted in a whole new legion of Grease fanatics. The movie version of Grease holds the record for “more concessions sold” than any other film in motion picture history.

Formed in 1991, RYT is a voluntary organisation involving young people, aged 8-18, in the Ryedale and York areas in all aspects of the performing arts and in particular musical theatre, both on stage and behind the scenes.

The Pink Ladies – Rizzo (Evie-Mae Dale) Frenchie (Hattie White) Marty (Stephanie Rastenis) Jan (Morven Caddy)

A spokesperson for RYT said: “Each Easter we welcome up to 70 young people to participate in a theatre production, an enriching experience that inspires creativity, teamwork and confidence.

“Our organisation is entirely run by dedicated volunteers and we rely heavily on the generosity of our supporters to fund our productions.

Eugene (Isaac Patterson); Miss Lynch (Lily Gibson) Patty (Tilly Dawson)

“Grease doesn’t have a message. It gives you a flavour of being a teenager in the 50s – when rock ‘n’ roll and putting grease on your hair were the most important things in life. If people come along to the show and take it on that level then we’ll give them a party. In fact, if you come out of the theatre feeling that you’ve been to the best party in town, then we’ll know that we’re getting it right. A party of the best kind. It was fun then, but it’s just as much fun now!”

“What Grease is really all about – more than anything else – is having fun. So, just sit back, kick off your blue suede shoes, and relax. Have a ball! Grease is, after all, a celebration.

Ryedale Youth Theatre presents ‘Grease the Musical’ at The Milton Rooms, Malton on April 1 to 4. Evenings at 7.15 pm. Thursday and Saturday Matinee at 2pm.

Sandy (Beth Steel) and Danny (Jonathan Stockill)

Tickets available from www.yourboxoffice.co.uk