GREASE - Act 1 personal review.
Scene 1 - Reunion speech
The opening of (Alma Mater Acapella) was better than I'd ever thought it was and watching over the performance on video, realised that it works very well and sounds impressive as all the casts voices put together had good projection. When Bethan (Mrs Lynch) and Lizzie (Patty) had dialogue I though it was very clear an projected well.
I do feel that perhaps in the 'Rydell prep song' that maybe some more characterization was needed from some, if not most of the cast, although I don't feel it affected the mood at all.
(Alma Mater Parody) I've never actually had any personal views on this part as I've never really seen it before, but all I have to say is that it needed more energy, more "boyish" energy, the concept of this part is the boys making fun of Patty and Rydell but I didn't really get that vibe. However, the diction in the song was very clear and also projection was good and out towards the audience.

Scene 2 - Flashback to high school cafeteria
Emily G.(Marty) good actions and reactions, characterization, strong posture, good entrance as does Sarah(Jan) who also has good body language and  both with strong American accents. Lindsey(Rizzo) and  Polly(Sandy) nice accent, innocent(Sandy) and more out-going(Rizzo) characterization was strong.
Joe(Doody) strong American accent, good body posture. Abi(Roger) actions and reactions very well. Max(Kenicke) had great body language and voice projection. Beth(Miss Lynch) really great characterization, perfect body language and accent was impressive.
Me, Matt(Danny) I found that I did have a strong American accent, found myself improvising on various occasions when others missed their lines and cues, which did benefit me because in a way it makes me look better and can get me the better grade. I had a tendency to drift to the side of the stage rather than stay centred which never really effected my personal performance but could have made it look better for me to b more in the centre of the stage.
I do feel that at many times, not just in this scene, in various scenes there were parts that needed a lot more energy from both the boys and girls. There were too many cue lines missed and people forgetting lines, wasn't so much a problem as there were always people who had flashes of improvisation but did put pressure on others in the scene.
The song (Summer nights) was a success, but again the energy sometimes just wasn't strong enough and sometimes didn't really believe that the other boys and girls wanted to know what happened at the beach. The energy levels sometimes needed lifting, and there were words missed out a few times which sort of took the vibe away from the song.

Scene 3 - Lockers
Joe's singing(Those magic changes) was very impressive and the characterization for the song was great, especially when his voice slightly cracked as it suited his character so it made no difference to the performance. I thought the choreography for the song was up to good standards, for the 2nd and 3rd shows anyway. The boys choreography turned out to be the simplest things such as just swaying and clicking and side stepping, the girls as usual had spot on choreography and I think that because the boys were a bit shabby but good whereas the girls were very perfect and it helped the characterization.

Scene 4- Marty's pyjama party
I think the lighting worked well with this scene and gave it a more girly bedroom feeling to it, although I do feel at times there was a lack of girly energy and it just needed a little extra. Emily had good actions and reactions and good body language and her posture to say 'yes this is my house and do what I say', Polly's(Sandy's) innocence really showed off in this scene with the drinking, smoking and getting the ear piercing. Lindsey's body language and actions were strong, as she is pressuring Sandy into everything otherwise she won't be in the pink ladies.
(Freddy, my love) sang by Emily was really good, she had good projection and facial expressions. This is the first scene where you see just the girls on stage and I think they did a really good job of it.

Scene 5- Garage
In my personal opinion I don't think this scene very well, it was the first time the boys were on the stage without the girls and was supposed to have a proper boyish atmosphere and I just din't feel it did. There was many times that people were having to improvise for missed lines and cues. The change overs(strikes) were too slow in my opinion and it did effect the scene. Sometimes there were issues with the tech with the lighting and sounds which created an awkwardness on stage and gave the lead up to the song a lack of energy. (Greased Lightning) at times this was really good and had good levels of energy, but then at times there was no energy and no one really seemed to know what they were doing. The dancing in the instrumental was ok but no one was ever in time with the others on stage. Strong projection from Max, and I found that I myself had good projection when I had my lines and in the harmony. I thought the song did need a hint of more energy but I do think that when we got into it we did really well and had good levels of energy.
This scene could have been so much better, it was a shame we couldn't get the car we desired and I think it'd have made the scene more interesting. Although, with the two chairs on the stage block it gave us enough space around the stage for movement during the song. When Rizzo enters it seems like no one knows where to put themselves and everyone is sort of cramped up and just feels awkward but I suppose it is rather awkward when Rizzo appears. I think that Kenicke and Rizzo (Max and Lindsey) should have kissed properly rather than faking it, I just think it made it look a bit amateur. The cue for 'sirens' was always a problem, it'd either come too early or too late and ruined the end of the scene.

Scene 6- Cheerleading
In this scene you see Danny and Sandy in conversation and Danny almost begging for her forgiveness and then interrupted by Patty's annoying cheerleading. I felt my characterization was well done but could have been improved slightly to make the begging clearer to the audience. I thought Patty's energy was ok but needed an extra 10% to bring over the sense of how annoying she is and how she's only there to check up on Danny. I think the fact that Sandy is upset with Danny is very clear to the audience because of her tone of voice and facial expressions.