Photo Flash: GREASE Celebrates 1000th Performance In London

Noel Sullivan stars in the iconic role of ‘Danny' and will be joined by Siobhan Dillon as his sweetheart ‘Sandy', as the couple follow in the footsteps of screen idols John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John who famously played the roles in the hit 1978 movie.

The new class of Rydell High enrolling from 25 January also includes Matthew Goodgame (‘Kenickie'), Victoria Hamilton-Barritt (‘Rizzo'), Lucas Rush (‘Roger'), Hayley Gallivan (‘Jan'), Benjamin Ibbott (‘Doody'), Faye Brookes (‘Frenchy'), Bennett Andrews (‘Sonny'), Robyn Mellor (‘Marty'), Michael Vinsen (‘Eugene'), Susannah Allman (‘Patty'), Jason Capewell (‘Vince/Teen Angel'), Kerry Winter ‘(Miss Lynch') and Stephanie Powell (‘Cha Cha'), with other parts played by the ensemble. The class of 2010 are set to thrill audiences and leave everyone jiving in the aisles, when they rock'n'roll into Grease in the New Year.

Siobhan Dillon was discovered through BBC1's How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, the first series in which Andrew Lloyd Webber searched for a West End star. Watched by millions, Siobhan was one of the final three and after finishing the programme went on to co-write and record her debut album. Having impressed producer David Ian on How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, Siobhan subsequently landed a role in Grease and made her West End debut as ‘Patty Simcox' in 2007. Last year she appeared in the hugely popular UK tour of Can't Smile Without You as ‘Mandy' and more recently has starred in the hit musical Cabaret in the lead role of ‘Sally Bowles'. Siobhan is currently working on her new album, which she has co-written in the UK and USA. Hopelessly devoted to the West End, Siobhan will make her return as a leading lady in Grease.
Making his West End debut in Grease, Noel Sullivan became leader of the T Birds gang ‘Danny Zuko' when he joined the cast on 30 November 2009. Noel rose to fame as a member of Hear'say, the record-breaking pop band formed through ITV's nationwide talent search Popstars. He achieved chart-topping success with the hugely popular group who became overnight celebrities, sold millions of records and obtained four Top 10 hits, and more (before their split in 2002). Noel has since returned to his first love, the stage and musical theatre, and has appeared in several successful productions including Fame (Edinburgh Playhouse), Love Shack, What A Feeling and Flashdance: The Musical (UK Tours), to acclaim.

More recently, he has featured in the tour concerts of Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens). Noel starred in the cast of singer-actors who previewed excerpts from Moonshadow, which is Yusuf Islam's new and debut musical set for the West End. Noel has also been in the studio recording with the acclaimed singer-songwriter for the Moonshadow concept album.
Grease returned to the West End on 25 July 2007 (with a press night on 8 August) and since its premiere the feel-good audience favourite has been seen by nearly 900,000 theatregoers at London's Piccadilly Theatre, where it continues to enjoy huge popularity. Having celebrated its second birthday this July, Grease is now the longest running show in the venue's history and tickets for the production are currently on sale until September 2010.
Since breaking out on Broadway in 1972, Grease's place has been firmly established in the cultural Hall of Fame, having seduced the hearts of millions with its back-to-back sizzling tunes. The show features all the unforgettable songs from the hit film including ‘You're The One That I Want', ‘Grease Is The Word', ‘Summer Nights', ‘Hopelessly Devoted to You', ‘Sandy', ‘Greased Lightnin' and many more.

Voted the "No 1 Greatest Musical"*, Grease has proved that a musical love story, bursting with denim, cheerleaders, slick hairstyles, rock'n'roll, teenage angst and young romance is timeless and universal.
This production originally opened in the West End in 1993 (co-produced with Robert Stigwood) where it enjoyed a fantastic run of 6 years. The last international tour of Grease was a phenomenal success, playing to sell-out audiences and smashing records at many venues. Since 1993, the show has been seen by audiences totalling over 9 million people in the UK alone.

Written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, directed by David Gilmore (Daisy Pulls It Off, Happy Days, Song & Dance, Footloose) and choreographed by Arlene Phillips (The Sound of Music, Starlight Express, Saturday Night Fever & BBC TV's Strictly Come Dancing), Grease is produced in the West End by Paul Nicholas and David Ian, by arrangement with Robert Stigwood.

Photo credit: Wooller.com