Grease is the word for Inspirations theatre company

Zac Palin and Lauren Brown play Danny and Sandy in Inspirations' production of Grease

Twenty-seven years after her first bid to secure the rights for Grease was turned down, Dot Clarke’s wish has finally come true.

She said: “It has just been released for performance for theatre. It’s been done in schools for years, but they weren’t allowed to advertise it outside of school. A local group advertised it as Brylcreem!

“I tried to get it when I was guiding the youth section at Bolsover Drama Group but I was refused.”

She now heads Inspirations Theatre Company which will be staging Grease at the Pomegranate Theatre, Chesterfield, this month.

Dot said: “We have to stick to the script but there are a few changes to the film version.”

One of the biggest differences is in the character of Sandy. The stage version gives her a harder edge to the sweet schoolgirl portrayed on screen. Lauren Brown, 18, who plays the role, said: “Sandy is mean and aggressive and has a fight with Rizzo.”

This is Lauren’s first lead role with Inspirations. She said: “I was really shocked to get the role because I wasn’t expecting it.

“I am happy, though, because it will be my last show before going to university.

“It is a well known show and really lively and fun.”

Lauren has been a member of the company for 11 years, lives at Moor Lane, Bolsover, and is a pupil at All Saints School, Mansfield, where she is studying for A-levels in English, dance and psychology.

Starring opposite her is Zac Paling, 18, who takes on the role of Danny, after playing Elvis in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat last year. He said: “It is nice to be someone who is cool for a change, rather than shaking my hips around on stage.”

The role presents Zac with an opportunity to sing falsetto in the signature song Summer Nights as well as strutt his stuff in dance numbers.

Zac, 18, lives at Castle Lane, Bolsover, and is studying for A-levels in biology, maths and history.

Company members also taking on big roles in Grease include Francesca Fleming in the role of Rizzo, Lauren Speed (Frenchie), Ben Featherstone (Kenickie), Nicola Smith (Miss Lynch), Shauna Kimberley (Patty Simcox), Laura Hewitt (Jan), Chloe Gibbions (Marty), Evan Mason (Doody), Connor Stanmore (Roger) and Daniel Mason (Sonny). The cast is composed of 29 performers, aged from 14-26.

n Grease will be staged at the Pomegranate from Tuesday, March 25, to Thursday, March 27, at 7.15pm. Tickets £13.50 and £11.50 (concessions); to book, call 01246 345222 or www.chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk