IT was fun, fast and furious, full of boundless energy but with a story to tell of life in fifties America at Rydell High School.

That was the BAOS Limelight half-term production of Grease in a nutshell – except that there really is so much more to tell.

Grease is all about show-stopping dance routines and the Limelighters did not disappoint, thanks to excellent choreography by 15-year-old Zoë Blackall. From an early scene-setting Summer Loving, through to the triumphant finale You’re the One that I Want, the whole cast did Zoë proud.

Summer Nights 

Basingstoke Gazette:

Hazel Baldwin gave a faultless performance as Sandy, avoiding saccharine sweetness with flashes of feistiness which made her final act transformation from sweet to sexy wholly believable. Max Harwood played Danny with a clever mixture of swagger, humour and a touching vulnerability. There were a few nods to the John Travolta character to please the audience but mostly this was vintage Max.

He had stalwart backing from all the Burger Palace Boys. James Davies as Kenickie was a joy, especially leading the lads in the energy-packed Greased Lightning.

Harry Hall as Roger had the audience laughing with Mooning and Ollie Johnson gave his strongest performance yet for Limelight bringing great characterisation to his role as Sonny.

Stand-out among the Burger Boys was Jack Baldwin as Doody, capturing the audience’s attention whether singing, dancing or acting the fool. Jack also played Johnny Casino, leading the cast through the rhythmic hand-jive section with Jack Trinder who played sleazy Vince Fontaine with relish.

Chloe Payne was perfectly cast as the cynical Rizzo, leader of the Pink Ladies. Her scene alone on stage with Sandy was charged with emotion and her solo There are worse things I could do was truly mesmerising.

Frenchy was played with an enchanting sweetness by Rhianon Mone. Her Beauty School Drop-out scene with a laid-back, suave Sean Granahan as Teen Angel was a show highlight.

Jess Phillips, Izzy Kersley, Lydia Moynihan and Alyssia Kershaw all gave scene-stealing performances while Owen White, playing Eugene, demonstrated his usual comic touch. Every one of the ensemble made an important contribution, whether gossiping in the background over lunch in the High School canteen or playing it up for all they were worth in the heavenly Beauty School.

Colourful costumes and props showed attention to period detail, while the band provided consistently excellent musical backing.

Director Richard Cox, assistant director Sharon Westwood and musical director Simon Eastwood have worked hard, challenging, encouraging and lifting the youngsters’ performances.

The whole production team is to be congratulated on a stellar production.