Grease is the word as Parker hits the Playhouse

One of the world’s most iconic musicals, Grease, hits the Edinburgh Playhouse stage for a five night run from September 11 until 16.

The show, which was first performed on Broadway in 1972, has thrilled millions over the decades on stage, and famously on celluloid starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.

The new version will star The Wanted pop star Tom Parker in his first theatrical role as bad boy turned good Danny Zuko.

Parker’s co-star as sometimes simpering Sandy is Danielle Hope, the Over the Rainbow winner, while Louisa Lytton, of Strictly Come Dancing and EastEnders, will play the feisty but flawed Rizzo.

For those not around in the seventies when the musical was first released, the plot follows the aftermath of a Summer romance between Sandy and Danny who both accidentally end up at the same High School and try to get to grips with their feelings and pressures from peers. All of this is enacted with great characterisation and catchy tunes, and a few dream sequences thrown in.

Songs such as Summer Nights, Sandy and Hopelessly Devoted to You became worldwide hits and the movie version of Grease was such a success that teens queued for repeat showings.

One explanation for the film’s success was its attention to fifties Americana detail – denim, cheerleaders, slick hairstyles, the music. In the post-war era, while the UK lived in a black and white world, the kids at Rydell were rocking out in full technicolour.

This particular production has been doing the rounds and touring world-wide since a highly successful six-year run in London’s West end beginning in 1993, showing a longevity that few musicals can achieve in this era of reality and talent shows.

In the UK alone it has been seen by more than 12 million fans old and new.

Arlene Phillips a former judge on Strictly Come Dancing goes back to her theatrical roots by choreographing the show.