THEATRE PREVIEW: Grease at Rotherham Civic Theatre

Audiences are urged to don their best 50s outfits for a new production of ever-popular musical Grease.

The show will even include a sing-a-long megamix to enable visitors to join in the fun.

Gillian Banks, head of GB Creative Productions, said: “It’s a wonderful show and we really want audiences to feel part of it.”

Packed with explosive energy, non-stop dance routines and spectacular 1950s fashion, Grease is guaranteed to have the audience rocking from start to finish.

It features such favourites as Summer Nights, Greased Lightning, Hopelessly Devoted to You, Sandy and You’re The One That I Want.

The show will be more familiar to Richard Morgan more than most.

In 2007, he came close to stardom in ITV’s Grease Is The Word competition to find a duo to play the lead roles of Danny and Sandy in the West End production.

Richard (31), from Laughton, reached the live finals before finally bowing out, but said he wouldn’t have missed the experience.

“I think I did pretty well and I was pleased with how I performed, but it just wasn’t to be,” he said.

In fact, he did so well that he was offered a part as one of Danny’s T-Birds gang in the West End — but turned down the part because he had a newborn daughter, Ellen, now 12.

These days, he fronts a popular function band, which performs covers, and is happy with his lot.

He has been with Gillian’s organisation for 14 years and performed in numerous shows.

“I’m really looking forward to playing Danny,” he said.

“It’s a great role and the show promises to be fantastic.”

The show runs from June 26 to 30, starting at 7.15pm.

Friday and Saturday performances are sold out but there are still tickets for other nights, costing £15 each.

Call the Box Office on 01709 823621 or visit www.rotherhamtheatres.co.uk to buy.

Gillian paid tribute to sponsors Jeremy Neal Funeral Directors, Nicholas Associates Group and Morthyng Group for their support.