'Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical' review — takes everything we love about the film and makes it even more electrifyin'

Read our review of Secret Cinema's Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical, now in performances at Evolution London to 7 September.

Imagine the classic 1978 movie musical Grease and then put it on steroids. Secret Cinema returns to London with an all-singing, all-dancing immersive production that invites audiences to enter the iconic halls of Rydell High and become part of the action themselves. Staged at Evolution London in Battersea Park, there are photo opportunities aplenty, with a full-scale Rydell High sign welcoming guests from the moment they arrive. And in true Secret Cinema fashion, we’re all encouraged to dress the part. There are seas of T-Bird leather jackets, Pink Ladies bombers, and upbeat high school spirit by the bucketload.

For fans of Grease (and there are many), this is a welcome chance to step into the film’s world. Before the show officially starts, crowds roam the fairground from the movie’s final scenes, where they’ll find ferris wheels, hook-a-duck stands, and swinging chairs. Retro food stalls serve burgers and chips, sauced hot dogs and Tex-Mex specials, while drinks trays are packed full of jelly shots. A word of warning: everything comes at an extra price, so be prepared to part with some cash if you want the full experience.

Nonetheless, Matt Costain’s production) is a feast of nostalgia, and there is clearly a sky-high budget. Giant screens show the iconic Frankie Valli opening number outside, and then, winding through the school corridors, audiences travel to the main event. Inside, a vast space has been transformed into Grease mania.

Designed by Tom Rogers, the set features quintessential American diners with ice creams and shakes on the menu, tequila bars, and even a drive-in packed with vintage 1950s cars. Guests can choose standing or seated tickets, but wherever you are, you’re sure to come face-to-face with a character or two with more than a little to say.

The shape of the evening revolves around the film, which plays out in all its glory – although the sound could do with being turned up a notch. Unlike previous Secret Cinema shows, which have followed the pattern of an immersive event followed by a sit-down film screening, Grease merges the two, with people allowed to wander through the show’s environment as it plays. Cast members re-enact key scenes on scattered stages, from Danny (Liam Morris) and Sandy (Stefanie Costi)’s awkward reunion to the high-energy hand-jive competition, syncing their performances with the movie in real time.

Songs are delivered live by the actors, prompting the crowd to clap, sing and dance along with infectious enthusiasm. During “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee”, the perfectly cast Lucy Penrose as Rizzo leaps into the fray, belting into a hairbrush while jumping on a bed. When “Greased Lightnin’” kicks off, a gleaming 1948 Ford De Luxe descends from the ceiling in a scene that draws gasps from all corners of the room. “Beauty School Dropout” has silver-roller-wearing angels swaying along right next to me.

It is quite the spectacle, with the room fizzing in Grease-induced glee. Designed as a love letter to the much-beloved movie, Secret Cinema takes everything we adore about Grease and makes it even more electrifyin’.

Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical is at Evolution London to 7 September. Book Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

Photo credit: Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical (Photos by Luke Dyson, dannywithacamera)