Photos: GREASE: THE IMMERSIVE MOVIE MUSICAL Gets A Visit from Original 'Frenchie' Didi Conn

The Grease film star joined the cast at Secret Cinema's immersive production in London for a special appearance.

By: A.A. Cristi Jul. 23, 2026

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Didi Conn, who originated the famous role of Frenchie in the beloved 1978 Paramount Pictures film Grease, made a surprise appearance at Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical this evening in Battersea Park, 23 July. Check out photos of her visit.

To the amazement of the audience, Ricky Wilson - lead singer of the Kaiser Chiefs and in the role of Teen Angel - sang Beauty School Dropout to not one, but two Frenchies. Revealing Didi Conn, the original Frenchie from the iconic movie, alongside Jess Smith, who has taken on the role in this production proved a full circle moment for fans and audiences alike.

This summer Secret Cinema is welcoming audiences back to Rydell High once more with the return of the smash-hit Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical, following its sold-out run in 2025. The production opens at Evolution London in Battersea Park for a strictly limited run from 22 July to 13 September.

Didi Conn said, “Grease is still the word! I’m so happy to be in London and had so much fun jumping into this immersive experience. It was a joy to rock and roll the night away with all of you gorgeous Pink Ladies and T- Birds; it was a blast! A wop Baba Lu mop ahh wop Bam Boom!”

Merritt Baer, Artistic Director and Producer of Secret Cinema added, “One of the greatest privileges of bringing iconic stories to life is creating moments that simply couldn’t happen anywhere else. Seeing Didi Conn reunited with Frenchie in front of a live audience was pure magic. Moments like this are what Secret Cinema is all about”.

Each performance of Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical is a two hours and fifteen minutes spectacular. Come down to Rydell High as we relive memorable moments from ‘Beauty School Dropout’, featuring Teen Angel star Ricky Wilson (Kaiser Chiefs, The Voice), and ‘Summer Nights’, to ‘Greased Lightnin’’ and ‘We Go Together’. Every iconic song from the beloved 1978 Paramount Pictures film comes to life as a knock-out cast and live band perform against multiple movie screens.

From the moment they enter this modern live experience, audiences step into the world of the movie, exploring the iconic locations including Frosty Palace, The Autoshop, and The Carnival and immerse themselves in school spirit, training with Coach Calhoun, cheering on the T-Birds, taking part in a choir practice and even tasting 1950s American diner-style delights.

The innovative production is brought to life by the multi-award-winning creative team of Matthew Costain - Director; Tom Rogers - Set Designer; Jennifer Weber - Choreographer; Howard Hudson - Lighting Designer; Gareth Fry - Sound Designer and Ian William Galloway - Video Designer.

Due to popular demand, summer 2026 will feature even more themed Roam and Return seating, allowing audiences to explore the experience and return to dedicated seating at Frosty Diner or The Drive-In.

The cast includes Kieran Alleyne (Sonny), Charlotte Avery (Principal McGee), Em Barrett (Coach), Michelle Bishop (Blanche), Ziki Buswell (Jan), Stephanie Costi (Sandy), Arcangelo Ciulla (Kenickie), Leah Dane (Cha Cha), David Fearn (Johnny Casino, Alternate Teen Angel), David Heal (Leo Balmudo), Hannah Hague (Marty), Khyrese Heron (Putsie), Joshua C Jackson (Vince Fontaine), Andrew Jackson (Doodie), Imogen Kingsley-Smith (Patty Simcox), Giórgios Michaelídes (Danny), Lucy Penrose (Rizzo), Jacob Stebbings (Eugene Felsnick), and Jess Smith (Frenchie), and Ricky Wilson (Teen Angel) with Kingsley Campbell-Golding, Erin Corfield, Bella Donald, CJ Driver, Abiola Efunshile, Alex Hetherington, Max Ilett, Charles Potter, and Zaya Tserenbat.

Director: Matt Costain; Choreographer: Jennifer Weber; Set Designer: Tom Rogers; Lighting Designer: Howard Hudson; Sound Designer: Gareth Fry; Music Supervisor, Orchestrator and Arranger: Steve Sidwell; Video Designer: Ian William Galloway; Costume Designer: Susan Kulkarni and Martina Trottman; Wigs, Hair and Make-up: Farida Ghwedar and Jessie Deol; Casting Director: Grace McInerny for Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher Casting

Photo Credit: Danny Kaan