Grease had its world theatrical premiere on Broadway in 1972, and has triumphed throughout the world, both in acclaimed theatres and in countless school productions. In 1979 Grease took over the record as the longest-running show in the history of Broadway, and the hit film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John proved to be the highest grossing movie musical ever.

The co-creators, Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, were friends for seven years before they collaborated on Grease, and it was over beer at a party when the idea first surfaced. Reacting against the "traditional, 'legit' show tune type melodies of the Great White Way" (Jim Jacobs), Jacobs and Casey amused themselves imagining this new kind of musical on Broadway, with music from the late Fifties and characters from the golden days of rock'n'roll.

Perhaps through fate (Casey lost his job soon after and, having time on his hands, began to write a rough sketch), Casey and Jacobs created a story with music and lyrics which challenged the existing concept of musicals whilst establishing itself as a new kind of 'classic'. It was in an experimental theatre in Chicago on February 5th 1971 that they finally tried their idea out on the public, with a title evoking the style of the late 1950s - slicked back hair and fatty fast food - Grease.

Despite a slightly shaky beginning - an all-amateur cast in a former tram shed, with newspapers for seats - the audiences kept returning with friends and relatives, until Grease proved more profitable than any previous show the theatre had produced. With discouragement from friends, and encouragement from Broadway producer Ken Waissman and partner Maxine Fox, Casey and Jacobs recognised that to maximise the show's potential they would have to give up their day jobs, and move to New York.

One year after the first production, Grease opened at the Eden Theatre, just off Broadway, but not with the success hoped for. Although the public loved it, the critics - in particular the New York Times - gave the show lukewarm reviews, and the Tony Awards committee ruled that Grease was ineligible for nomination because the Eden does not qualify as a Broadway theatre, being several blocks away from Broadway proper. However, the producers disagreed and threatened to sue the committee, which promptly backed down; Grease consequently received seven Tony nominations, moved to Broadway proper and never looked back. Although in the smash hit film of 1978 John Travolta was to play Danny Zuko, in the 1971 tour across the US and Canada the 17 year old Travolta played Doody, the nerdy kid who idolises Danny. When the show opened in London it was the then unknown Richard Gere that played the cool Danny, with Stacey Gregg as Sandy, followed by Paul Nicholas and Elaine Paige in the lead roles.

Everywhere it opened, Grease struck a universal chord with its irresistible mix of adolescent angst, vibrant physicality and 1950s pop culture. Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey created a perfect period piece - a pastiche of the 1950s - which is "fast, furious and thrilling, an injection of raw energy ... and fun, fun, fun" (Hilary Bonner - Daily Mirror). 

The new production of Grease, which incorporated all the hit songs from the movie, opened at the Dominion Theatre in 1993 starring Craig Maclachlan as Danny Zuko. Having been discovered in Neighbours the producers realised that he exuded the charm that was essential for the character, Danny Zuko. The producers had already seen 800 girls for the part of Sandy and when introduced to American actress Debbie Gibson they offered her the part immediately. The show was taken on tour in 1997 starring Shane Richie and then Ian Kelsey as Danny Zuko and due to its success the national tour ran again with Luke Goss heading the cast as Danny. The London Production finished after 6 successful years at the Cambridge Theatre in 1999.

Talking of the show's appeal and purpose, the director David Gilmore explains, "Grease doesn't have a message ... it gives a flavour of being a teenager in the 50s - when rock'n'roll and putting grease on your hair were the most important things in life", and that this is the level that we should take it on. Indeed, part of the attraction of this production is in its "rather pointed and camp knowingness" - it is "an escapist pleasure zone where happiness wins through. You emerge exhilarated by the sheer dynamic variety, vigour and exuberance of rock'n'roll" (Nicholas de Jongh - Evening Standard).

Celebrating 20 years of 'Grease' mania the film was re-released in the Summer of 98 which was produced by Robert Stigwood and Alan Carr. Grease has maintained its everlasting popularity - proving that teenage angst and loves young dream remains timeless and universal.