The show

Grease is the biggest musical of all time and made superstars of John Travolta and Olivia Newton John. Sandy and Danny are the most sought after roles in show business and we need to find two brand new talents to take over the leads in the new West End production. (opens July 2007)

Fame, fortune, and international stardom await the chosen ones, but first they are going to have to earn it. Our thousands of hopefuls must survive the most punishing auditioning process ever seen on television. Each must excel in three challenging disciplines, singing, acting and dancing.

Those that survive this perilous process will win a converted place in Bootcamp where they will undergo intensive training and battle it out for the chance to win the public votes on the live shows.

Who has got what it takes to fill the biggest shoes in show business? Holding the dream ticket is a panel of four industry heavyweights who all tell it like it is. Leading the pack is celebrated theatre producer David Ian who is putting his money and reputation on the line: “I spend my life auditioning thousands and thousands of people and what I say to the vast majority is, No.” With Cats, Starlight Express and Chicago to his name, David knows exactly what is at stake: “theatre is a ruthless business and you are only as good as your next production and if I don’t get the leads for Sandy and Danny right it will be a disaster.”

Joining him is cutting edge choreographer Brian Friedman: “I know what star quality is all about, and it’s not something that can be taught. You either have it or you don’t.” Having directed superstars like Beyonce, Britney and Pink Brian knows he has his work cut out: “I would say Sandy and Danny are two of the hardest roles to cast, but I am up for the challenge.”

80’s pop legend and West End starlet Sinitta is also on board: “I’ve worked in the West End and had hit records and I know what it takes to work in this industry, if you’re not ready I am going to tell you to go home, it’s not because I want to break your heart but because I can tell you’re not ready.”

Last up is multi-millionaire producer and music impresario David Gest: “It lies in our hands to come up with two people that are going to make the West End sparkle. Grease is the biggest show in the world and I don’t want to be the guy to mess it up.”

Some words from the original Sandy herself, Olivia Newton John:

John Travolta is Danny Zuko and the man who takes his place is going to have to be someone special, Olivia Newton John: “Just standing with John or being with him, he’s so charismatic but is funny and has the vulnerability as well as the sexy thing going on.”
“Sandy is naive and innocent and a fish out of water in the beginning of the film but she has to be able to switch to her other side.”

The Contestants: Episode One

Superhero or Superzero?

Can the first contestant, 25 year old John from Woking prove he has what it takes? In front of a bemused panel of judges, John attempts to dazzle them, and the result is both Sinitta and Brian hiding behind their clip boards. The reaction to his dancing isn’t great either: “This is bad, really bad” says David Gest. But what about the acting? After doing a “superhero” sketch and urging the judges “To believe” in him, they are more bemused than ever. David Ian sums it up: “I thought your dance was terrible, and that was the best thing about your audition.” Its not starting well for the Judges, or contestants.

Glamour girls does good

The first girl to stake her claim to the part of Sandy is 18 year old glamour model (FYI: she has shot with Maxim) Jade from Essex. Having come to audition on her own, she is determined to prove her doubters wrong. “I nearly didn’t come because I’ve never had much encouragement which has made me never believe in myself, but I think with some training and encouragement I could be good.”

Can she win over at least three of the four judges in order to get through to Bootcamp? Brian comments about her dancing leave cause for concern, “The intention was there with the dancing, I feel like there is a great dancer inside you but they’ve just not been taught yet”,and it looks like her hopes might be dashed. However, she’s certainly found a fan in David Ian: “I think you are beautiful and with a bit of work you could have a great singing voice.” With four yes’s from the Judges, jubilant Jade is the first contestant through to Bootcamp.

Does age matter?

At 29 Olivia Newton John played fresh faced 17 year old Sandy effortlessly, 37 year old Vicky hopes the Judges can see the teenager within her: “Nothing can beat Grease, I used to watch it about three or four times a night at one point. I have got talents in dancing and singing and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do”.
But will the Judges see past her age and can her rendition of Hot Stuff get the judges hot under the collar? Despite trying to lapdance David Gest, the judges look slightly bewildered and despite pleading to David Ian, Vicky’s dream of playing Sandy is shattered when he says: “You could never play 17 year old Sandy in the West End in a million years.” A tearful Vicky leaves the stage in David Gests comforting arms.

Can 25 year old Alison from Liverpool fair any better in front of the Judges. With the blonde hair and cute face David Ian certainly thinks she looks the part. David Gest seems to like her too, insisting that she uses him as an extra in her acting scene. She recreates the “Tell me about it stud scene,” flirting with David Gest and is immediately given a pass through to Bootcamp!

Alison wasn’t the only girl to rise to the challenge and raise both the eyebrows and temperature of the two David’s. As the day progressed scores of potential Sandy’s charmed their way through to Bootcamp.

Nice tan, shame about the voice

21 year old tanning assistant Lisa from Runcorn arrives at the auditions accompanied by her number 1 fan, her Mum Carol.

Carol believes her daughter can go all the way: “Lisa has learnt to dance and sing herself, she never learned anything like that in school, in fact she didn’t have the chance to do that at school because I took her out at a young age because I knew Lisa like me was a workaholic. In fact her headmaster said, and I quote: ‘You’re not going to get anywhere without qualifications.’
“Well she’s her at the auditions today, and she’s done that all her own, so he’s wrong.”

Lisa has the same high belief in herself as her Mum: “I know I can go all the way”.
However the judges are more impressed with her extraordinary perma tan than her singing and acting skills. Sinitta says: “You’re very tanned aren’t you? Almost black in fact…. I really like you but I just don’t get it.”
David Gest adds: “You’re sweet but not right”.
A devastated Lisa leaves the audition to run straight into the arms of Zoe Ball and a teary Mum and daughter leave the theatre.

David Ian has an admirer

As the day progresses the look of concern on David Ian’s faces grows: “I am the only one with money invested in this show and so far we have only seen a handful of ok, rather bland people, there’s no star so far”.

But 36 year old Paula is hoping she is exactly what David is looking for. Single for eleven years, Paula has only come to the auditions to meet and try to woo David Ian, she’s even gone to the effort to bring David some flowers: “I just want to impress him with my talents…. I love his silver hair, its just such a turn on”.

After a mortified David is serenaded to by Paula, Sinitta, Brian and David insist she goes through to Bootcamp, with David Gest summing it up: “I have to keep you around just so you can get closer to David, he has been so good to me since I cam to the UK and I have been looking to buy the perfect gift for him but you came in the nick of time, now go and kiss David!” A very unhappy David Ian throws his gift of flowers at David Gest, who is revelling in this whole display.

The love birds

With the chemistry between Sandy and Danny key to the role, lovebirds Vicky and Ben from Leicester hope they have a head start on the competition. Ben says: “I think we can be a good Sandy and Danny because we’ve got true love”.

First to face the Judges is Vicky, whilst nervous fiancé Ben waits in the wings. After wowing the judges with her singing and dancing all the pressure is now on Ben to also make it through to Bootcamp. Will his strip routine be enough to get him through?

Oldie but Goodie

Danny and Sandy are high-school sweethearts but that hasn’t held back the more experienced hopefuls, even if the Judges haven’t been able to see them playing the part. And 40 year old John from Berkshire certainly believes that his age doesn’t matter, but can he prove that it is the age you feel and not the age you are that counts? And it seems three of the four Judges agree, bowled over by his energy and enthusiasm he gets the necessary three yes’s from the Judges and is straight through to Bootcamp. But David Ian is not happy and storms off the stage insisting on a break with David Gest quipping, “I told you that guy needed an enema”.

Does the Ex Pop Star have what it takes?

Someone hoping to make an impression is 29 year old ex pop star Kavanagh. After being out the limelight for a few years he is hoping this will be the opportunity for him to come back with a bang. He’s not expecting to be treated any differently, but does he have what it takes to impress the judges?