TEENAGE angst and the dream of young love remain timeless and universal themes in The Q's revival of the '70s hit musical Grease.
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Bringing out the talent of a mostly local and young cast, director Stephen Pike has drawn his inspiration from the 2007 Broadway revival for its vocally stronger, larger than life musicality, to give the audience songs from the original stage show not included in the 1972 movie.
It is not total transposition to Australiana, though publicist Coralie Wood promises more leg shakes and greasy hair bangs than the Bungendore rodeo.
The set and costumery reflects the more traditional '50s US pop cultural groove and meaning injected by Olivia Newton-John, John Travolta and cast into the movie.
"Otherwise, all the basic underlying messages and context of the show are still relevant today," said Dave Collins, Queanbeyan born and bred who plays Roger or if you prefer the movie character, Putzie, the blonde wisecracker.
"I am just like Roger, always get in and out of situations with a joke, never get to the point, always something funny to say first as the easiest way to win your way in a situation."
At 25-years-old, the recent musical theatre graduate from the Australian Institute of Music, Sydney, said he feels like a senior among the predominantly younger cast.
There is a cast of about 30 and they include leads Marcus Hurley (faux bad boy Danny) and Roseanna Boyd (girl next door Sandy).
Greased-back hair, full colourful skirts and high pony tails are de rigeur as they venture through their final year of high school to 'Greased Lightnin', 'You're the One That I Want', 'Summer Lovin' and 'We Go Together'.
Dust off the leather jackets, roll on the bobby-socks for the two and a half week season over three weekends starting from Wednesday, July 29.
For tickets, visit www.theq.net.au or call 6285 6290.