Grease - suitable for children ?

[swallowthree]

Grease has been chosen as the year 5/6 production at my children's school. I think it is totally inappropriate and conveys some very dodgy messages about being a girl, conformity and relationships. Or is it just me ?

It does have some dodgey themes, but I remember becoming obsessed with it when I was 9 (mainly thanks to bf Grandad who bloody loved that film) and clearly my mum had one reser or two reservations. So one day whilst drawing and colouring in a Grease themed tableaux (one of many) she sat down at the table with me and gently enquired as to what I liked about the film. I listed the songs, the funny clothes and the ginger girl who was a beauty school drop out. This made her laugh and then he explained to me that Sandys idea of changing to get a man to like her was flawed and kind of silly, so not to do that. To which I replied, "yeah of course, but its only pretend."

There's your answer I reckon.

Isn't it "the chicks will cream"?

great minds.

I first saw it aged 11 and was shocked and felt sick and left the room. Why? Because Sandy was going to let them pierce her ears - I mean, would you really have let someone stick a pin in your ear???? I did return after a few minutes and loved the rest of the film, with no idea what was going on other than lots of people sang songs and danced around a bit. I was about 17 when I finally got round to actually listening to the words properly and realised what they said (rather than singing my own, half-heard and misunderstood random version). Then I was shocked all over again ("I've been singing this stuff for years and oh my god - it's filthy!") As far as performing it goes, I guess you'd need to know the words so I'd hope they'd change some of them but a lot of it does go over heads and the songs are fun. I'd say check with school - not in a big, all guns blazing way but as a quick chat at pick-up "I was just wondering about Grease - I don't want to end up explaining certain concepts to DD - I know there are adjusted versions and just wanted to make sure you were doing these ones...."

The original writer actually later wrote a version for schools mainly without the pregnancy related bit and toned down songs. There are even shorter, blander versions around now.

Dd watched it with me and loved it - she is 5. I saw it at the cinema with my mum and dad when I was 6. There are adult themes but they go over small children's heads. I think appropriately edited it would work as a great musical - most kids seem to love the music. In terms of seeing it as having to adapt to win a man, well it could be read in that way (as could many, many other books/films - including great ones.) Equally it could be read as a woman showing she can dress anyway she wants and suprise people. It is of it's time, but that doesn't mean it should be banned. Just discussed.

Who's playing Cha Cha degogorio "the best dancer in St Bernadette's with the worse reputation?" and will there be "mooning" at the dance?

I wonder if they'll keep the positive bit I remember: "beauty school drop out, go back to high school"?

It's a primary school production. There will be a very small amount of bad acting and a few songs sung and that will be about it.

Can't really see what the problem is tbh. I saw the film when I was 8 and thought it was great.

grease is adapted for school production dd did it in highschool andit was pretty tame and no teen pregnancy either or skintight clothes , Dd was 11 but of course the age range is a bit different as the cast was 11/17

and the message is you dont need to conform to your peer group so a good message imo

Mmmmm I thought the message at the end was the opposite you had to conform hence the lovely innocent Sandra Dee became chain smoking slutty Sandy!!

My DCs school did Grease last year and it was very cleverly adapted to take out the adult themes. As far as i know schools buy in the script so i imagine yours would be the same.

It was a fantastic show and all the kids really enjoyed it - the boys especially with their greased back hair and leather jackets!

We left the mooning out for a secondary school production...

It was my favourite film aged 6. Then I saw it again at the age of 14 and realised it was filthy!

We did this as a Y6 leavers' concert. There is a sanitized KS2 version available. The poor little sod who sings 'Sandy' has some choice high notes to hit though!

Only if you serve smarties with it for fibre.

Please don't worry
My sons school did Grease in yr 6 and at first a lot of the mums were worried
The script they used was a special schools script..nothing rude, no swearwords etc. My son was a t-bird and he loved it (have a spare t bird jacket here if anyone wants to borrow it)
One of the best shows the school has ever done
If you are still worried have a word with the teacher in charge of the production - they will put your worries at rest
Enjoy the rehearsing!

Google is a wonderful thing. As it says:

"Shorter and more suitable in content for teens and subteens, this abridged version retains the fun-loving spirit and immortal songs that make GREASE a favorite among rock and roll fans of all ages. "

I would imagine it's this version which given how tightly Grease rights are controlled will be the one that a lot of primary schools have used in recent years.

Sandy thought she had to conform and she didnt really they both thought that im not sure now , Op go along singalong im sure it will be fab and very tame , and your daughter will be mortified if you go in and the staff will snigger at you , and to the poster who asked about ear piercing apparently my mum got her ears done in 1966 with an ice cube and a safety pin

I am almost certain that I saw a version yonks ago, very early 80s, where Rizzo says to Kenickie "If you do that, I'm gonna tell everyone you cry when you come"

Have often wondered if I dreamt it, but dont think so.

No you didnt dream it , I think when its on tv early it is censored , i love grease ive seen it hundreds a few times and i know the bits they cut when its on telly , Its certainly not in a school version

Thanks Mrs, I've always wondered!

I saw grease when i was 8/9 and i loved it but i guess I didnt know what the words and meaning meant , all i thought was sandy loved danny danny loved sandy I didnt get the sex bit at all ,