Casting has been announced for Mayflower Theatre’s 2025 Summer Youth Project, Grease: School Edition, as the leads meet with musical theatre superstar, Marley Fenton, who previously starred as Danny Zuko in the 2024 tour of Grease the Musical.
Grease: School Edition will bring the electrifying energy of Rydell High to Mayflower Theatre this summer, as Danny, Sandy, the Pink Ladies and the Burger Palace Boys bring the iconic story to life with unforgettable songs and dazzling choreography.
The project will give the young people the opportunity to work together for two weeks with a professional creative team taking a show from the first read through to final performances on Mayflower Theatre’s stage. These intensive rehearsal periods give a great opportunity to learn more about the performing arts whilst working towards a common goal and making new friends.
The principal cast will include Alfie Flynn from Salisbury as Danny Zuko, Lottie Paine from the Isle of Wight as Sandy Dumbrowski, Michael Chiguvare from Eastleigh as Kenickie and Lara Almeida from Southampton as Betty Rizzo. The cast will then be completed by approximately 150 other young people aged 11 – 18 from across the local area.
Marley Fenton, who previously played Danny Zuko in the 2024 UK tour of Grease the Musical and is now starring as Alexander Hamilton in the first ever UK tour of Hamilton, met with Alfie Luke, Lottie Paine, Michael Chiguvare and Lara Almeida to talk to them about starring in a large scale musical and how they can best prepare, sharing some of his tips and tricks after three national tours.
“It’s fantastic that Mayflower are providing so many young people with an opportunity to perform in their Summer Youth Project,” said Marley. “It’s opportunities like these that engage many young people in the arts.
“I have now performed on Mayflower Theatre’s stage three times in the last two years and it is a stunning auditorium. Playing Danny Zuko in the UK tour was an amazing moment for me and my career, and I know this cast of talented individuals are going to have the time of their life bringing Rydell High to Southampton!”
Michael Ockwell, Chief Executive of Mayflower added: “Our Summer Youth Productions are one part of the massive participation offering we deliver through Mayflower, and I am delighted with the wide range of talent in our area that will come together to put on a show and make life-lasting experiences for two weeks in August.
“And who better to give our leads advice than Marley who is wowing audiences as Hamilton and was Danny Zuko with us last November.”
Grease: School Edition marks Mayflower Theatre’s 12th Summer Youth Project following the launch in 2013.
Tickets for Grease: School Edition (Friday 22 – Saturday 23 August 2025) are on sale at mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.
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