NEVERMIND "Grease is the word", Grease is the musical where everybody knows the words which leads to a hand-clapping, toe-tapping evening of entertainment.

This production is no exception with a vibrant young cast headed by Norman Bowman and Hayley Evetts in the lead roles of Danny and Sandy.

Bowman plays the John Travolta role to a T - or should that be T-Bird - strutting in all the right places and carrying off the corniest of lines with cheeky charm.

Evetts, the only familiar name to non-theatre types like myself, also deserved her warm reception in front of her home town crowd.

With little experience of treading the boards, there were question marks over whether the Brummie could cut it alongside a cast of stage school show stalwarts.

But Evetts grew in confidence throughout the production, reaching her peak with a faultless rendition of Hopelessly Devoted to You.

Special mention too must got to Mary Doherty for her suitably sassy portrayal of Rizzo.

Grease runs at the Alexandra Theatre until January 15.

MK