L-R Olivia Moore, Dan Partridge and Peter Andre lead the cast of Grease at the Dominion Theatre, London. Picture: Hugo Glendinning
Peter Andre will return to Rydell High to make his West End debut playing Vince Fontaine when the new production of Grease arrives at London’s Dominion Theatre in May.
The former pop star and television personality who previously played both Teen Angel and Vince Fontaine on tour will play the latter at certain performances in the production which is directed by Leicester Curve’s artistic director Nikolai Foster and choreographed by Arlene Phillips.
Andre will appear alongside Dan Partridge (Hairspray UK tour, Mamma Mia! West End) and Olivia Moore (Waitress, Adelphi Theatre, Heathers, Theatre Royal Haymarket) as Danny and Sandy, Jocasta Almgill (& Juliet, Shaftesbury Theatre) as Rizzo, Paul French (Grease UK tour) as Kenickie, Mary Moore (Little Women, Park Theatre) as Jan, Jake Reynolds (professional debut) as Doody, Lizzy-Rose Esin-Kelly (A Chorus Line, Leicester Curve) as Marty, Damon Gould (Pretty Woman: The Musical, Savoy Theatre) as Sonny, Eloise Davies (Be More Chill, The Other Palace) as Frenchie, Jessica Croll (Hairspray UK tour) as Patty Simcox, Katie Lee (Matilda The Musical, Cambridge Theatre) as Cha Cha, Ronan Burns (West Side Story, Leicester Curve) as Johnny Casino and Corinna Powlesland (An Officer and A Gentleman, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre as Miss Lynch. Darren Bennett (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Savoy Theatre) will play Officer Mailie and Vince Fontaine at certain performances.
They will be joined by Jack Harrison-Cooper, Pearce Barron, Rishard-Kyro Nelson, Ellie Kingdon, Remi Ferdinand, Kalisha Johnson, Imogen Bailey, Kevin O’Dwyer and Carly Miles. Further casting is to be announced.
Commenting on his inclusion in the West End production, Andre said: “I’m beyond excited to be making my West End debut playing Vince Fontaine in Grease at the beautiful Dominion Theatre. Grease is such an iconic musical and we can guarantee audiences will have the most wonderful evening listening to songs we all know and love. We can’t wait to see you there!”
Featuring new staging and choreography, the first new production of Grease in the West End for nearly three decades will be rocking and rolling in London from early May, with previews beginning on 3 May ahead of a 17 May opening night. The first new production of the much-loved musical in 25 years first toured the UK and Ireland in 2019.
Announcing the production last year, lead producer Colin Ingram said: “This is the first new production of Grease in the West End for 29 years, so we are excited to be bringing this grittier version to the Dominion Theatre. All the familiar songs from the film are included, plus some of the songs and script from the very first production which will be new to audiences.
“Directed by the brilliant Nikolai Foster and choreographed by the legendary Arlene Phillips, they have done an incredible job of reimagining one of the most popular musicals of all time, to make it feel fresh, entertaining and celebratory – something we all need right now.”
Written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, with additional songs by John Farrar, the story of Sandy, Danny and Rydell High made its debut on stage in Chicago in 1971 before arriving in Broadway in 1972 and first appearing in the West End a year later.
The 1978 film adaptation starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John is the fourth highest-grossing live action musical of all time and celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2018. The musical features songs, including ‘Summer Nights’, ‘Hopelessly Devoted To You’ and ‘You’re The One That I Want’.
Produced by Colin Ingram for InTheatre Productions, Donovan Mannato, Playing Field, Gavin Kalin and Curve, the production features designs by Colin Richmond with orchestrations and musical supervision by Sarah Travis, lighting design by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Tom Marshall and Richard Brooker, video and production design by Douglas O’Connell and casting is by David Grindrod.
Angela Thomas
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