JADAR

Ahead of Grease‘s anticipated return to Manchester this week, we had the chance to sit down with Marley Fenton, who plays the lead role of Danny Zuko.

What’s your favourite thing about Grease and playing your character?

M: “It’s such a classic and iconic role and being able to do it every night, and have people come and watch the show and understand our interpretation of it and enjoy it so much. When I knew that I was going to be doing it, it was definitely very nerve-wracking, but I think just feeling the energy from the audience has made me so happy.”

Do you take much influence from John Travolta’s iteration, or any of the actors that have played him?

M: “I think it’s always good to pay homage to the classic, especially for the film since that’s kind of what people are coming to watch. But I also think it’s nice to interpret my own new version of it for the show. We’re putting on the modern aspect and a grittier version and having that shine through more. I’m definitely trying to pay homage to John Travolta and that era of Grease itself – I’m just really locking into Danny Zuko because sometimes it’s hard to separate Danny Zuko and John Travolta because of how iconic [the film] is. It’s bringing the words off the page in my own way, whilst also having the cool, suave energy that he had.”

Are you a fan of the original Grease? 

M: “Definitely, yeah. I watched it when I was younger, and I’ve known all the songs for so long… Who isn’t a fan of Grease?!”

What makes this version of Grease so different?

M: “I think it’s going back to the original script and finding that grittier version of it, and really holding on to those kids’ lives and their stories, and the fact that they’re in Chicago, and it’s not the easiest of times. We’re really trying to shine a spotlight on each individual character because they’ve all got their stories. With Grease the film, you know Nikki, Rizzo, Danny, Sandy, but I think now it’s really nice that we’re given a better understanding of a lot of the other characters and their storylines. I think that’s probably the thing I love most about this production.”

What drew you to Danny as a character? Do you see yourself in him? 

M: “I think maybe a bit. I think it’s just trying to lock into that energy because we’re living in a society that isn’t that kind of vibe anymore. That’s not the world we live in anymore, and I think I probably see myself in maybe his energy and his confidence. But, I think apart from that, it’s definitely something that I have to tap into – being that bad boy that drives the car and all the girls want – it’s probably something that we see a lot less of in today’s society.

“And his relationship with authority, and school – he doesn’t have a great relationship with Miss Lynch, who we see in the show. It’s nice to tap into that old school way of life and have that grease on your body from cleaning a car. No 17-year-old in this day and age would really be doing that.”

What’s been your favourite part about performing? 

M: “I think just enjoying the energy that we have on stage, and also that the audience is giving us off stage. The dancing is amazing, and the choreography from Arlene Phillips is just phenomenal, so we really have a lot of fun on stage. So I think enjoying that and embracing that, and also feeling that energy back from the audience, is definitely just my favourite thing to do. It’s just so much fun, and it’s so easy when you’re having fun.”

How does it feel being the first person of colour to play Danny?

M: “It’s definitely a big moment for me. I think especially when I got the job, it was like, ‘Wow’. I was just so, so grateful, and it was so kind of unexpected, really. It’s such a classic, and the film, and the story of Danny and Sandy is so well-known that I’m just so happy that young people of colour could come and watch the show and see a character like me, aspire to be able to do that, and know that they can do that – not just coming to watch someone in the ensemble or a supporting character but the lead. I think that’s probably something that’s really sat well with me, that I could go out and be Black and be in that role, and do it to the best of my ability – that young Black people can come and watch and see themselves in the characters.”

How do you feel about the racism and homophobia that were aimed at the show in the past? How do you deal with that as an actor? 

M: “I think it’s difficult because a lot of a lot of the language within the story and within the script are of the time, and there has to be a boy and a girl for the dance and things like that. I think we touch on it but there’s definitely a modern spin on how we’ve done it. So, I guess it’s a case of seeing it, understanding it, and just making sure that we do our best and do it justice and keep it moving and evolving. 

“We had a show where, unfortunately, someone shouted something from the audience, and we had to adapt to that and be able to go on and do the show that evening, because not only are there people of colour within the cast, but also people who have kind of never experienced that type of thing before, so we really had to come together and push through to do that evening show, because we knew that in the afternoon, it was difficult that we were performing to people or to a certain person that didn’t want us there.

“So, I think it’s definitely just about sticking together and understanding your values and knowing what you’re putting on, and if you’re putting it on to the best of your ability then no one can really say anything. But it’s definitely difficult. I’d say Danny is known as this White American man, and I’m obviously someone who isn’t that, but it’s definitely an experience for me, and also something I’m very proud of.”

So, talking a little bit more about you, you’ve been in Sondheim’s Old Friends, The Wizard of Oz, and you’re in the upcoming Wicked movie. What’s been your favourite career moment so far? 

M:  “I think it’s definitely Old Friends. That was such a crazy experience for me. I hadn’t been out of drama school for very long, and being able to be on the stage and perform with those names [Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga, etc.] and the people was just an unbelievable time. It still doesn’t really feel real. I was just learning and absorbing everyday – I probably wouldn’t be able to do Danny today, or some of the other things that I’ve done, if it wasn’t for that production because of how much I learned from those people. I could just stand there and absorb everything that they were kind of offering.

“As much as they did come and have conversations with me and teach me, it was also just amazing to sit or stand and just watch those people perform and understand how they hit their beats. I really zoned into how they perform, because it’s so magical to watch someone who’s done it for over 50-60 years and stand on the same stage as them and kind of experience how their story comes to life, and how they produce that magic. I think that was probably my biggest career moment.”

Did you always know you wanted to be in theatre?

M: “Yeah. When I was younger, I went to acting classes, and it was more TV acting that I was kind of involved in. But I think, within that, we had yearly shows, and as soon as I started dancing and putting the three aspects together of singing, dancing and acting, I think that’s when I knew I wanted to be on stage, because it felt exciting for me. So, I definitely always knew that I wanted to be an actor, and then I think onstage came slightly later, but I’m very grateful for it.”

Speaking of dancing, some of the choreography of Grease looks really intense. Is it difficult to learn at first? 

M: “Yeah, it’s crazy because, you know, you get put through the paces. It’s a very demanding show physically, especially the ‘hand jive’- it’s non-stop… We keep going. 

“But I think that’s the most fun thing about it: you’re on stage and you’re out of breath but you’re having so much fun dancing the choreo. Getting to learn off an iconic choreographer like Arlene Phillips was just such an amazing experience to have. Because she was kind of around at the time, and she knew what the feel is and what the energy is – for her to come to us and be like: ‘Imagine you’re doing a TikTok dance’- it’s just so fun. And that’s what they’d do, they’d just go to a dance hall and dance for fun… grab a partner  and off you go.

“So, I think that was definitely such an amazing thing to have her come in and be able to express to us how exactly it was. I think that’s why we grab it so well to the best of our ability because we had someone like that on our side who could explain to us what it was like and teach it to us in that type of way.”

You were in another famous dance-style old-school show as well… A Chorus Line. How did it feel being in such an iconic show? 

M: “Yeah, I did A Chorus Line, in my third year at drama school. I loved it. I love that show so much, and I think it holds such a special place in my heart. It was so cool to enjoy the new aspect that we had with it. We had choreography that was quite modern and fluid. I really enjoyed the fact that we stuck to the original script and the score, and we were very much in that world, but then added on top, we had the slightly modern movements and choreography. I will never forget that show. I had so much fun.”

What would your dream theatre role be then?

M: “Oh, I think it’s difficult, because when you become an actor, you understand that things are kind of more accessible or more realistic. I’ve always wanted to be donkey in Shrek. I’ve never lived that down, even from watching the films and stuff. I just love the film so much. So I think donkey in Shrek is definitely up there. It’s such a comedic role, and something that I would have a lot of fun doing. I think that’s probably my number one because it’s definitely a feel-good type of role.

Have you got anything in the works after Grease?

M: “Nothing at the moment, just auditioning and seeing what happens, but I’m definitely grateful for the opportunity with Grease, because within that has come more opportunities and more people to be able to watch and see me do what I love to do. I’m very grateful for where I am at the moment, and I enjoy keeping my mind focused on Grease, which is nice.”

You have your own band as well – Good Company. How’s that going? 

M: “Yeah, it’s a lot of fun. We just had two new songs come out – ‘GUILTY’ and ‘APPLEMAC’ – and we’re really enjoying it. It’s something that I’ve done for a few years now, and we just enjoy it, like we were never hoping to be a massive famous band; we just enjoy playing music together, and it felt natural. 

“So, we’ve been doing it since we were in drama school. We all went to ArtsEd, and we’ve finally been able to record some stuff and get it out, which I’m very grateful for. They’re doing really well, so it’s good, and it’s a lot of fun. They’re all my best mates.”

How was it becoming a band during the pandemic?

M: “I think it was. It was towards the end of when we were completely locked down. So I started in first year in 2020, and then because we didn’t have a Freshers, the Student’s Union decided to have an Enders. Because we met each other throughout the year and had time to get to know each other, and we decided to have a live band for one of the events. I played the drums with a couple of people who were in the year above, and we were like: ‘Oh, maybe we should do this a bit more’. We enjoyed it so much. So, we carried on. That night, we played covers of some big tunes, but then we decided to start writing our own stuff. And it was a lot of fun. That’s how it started, so I guess something good came out of the pandemic.”

I hear you’re also big on football and fitness. Is body image and like, healthy routines a big thing for you, or is it more about the fun?

M: “I think it’s more about the fun for me. I am definitely someone who likes to stay active but I think that’s probably just how my body works, and I know that I need to stay kind of active and be doing things for my mind to work, if that makes sense. I guess it’s not really a case of body image and things like that but I definitely enjoy sport in general. I just love the aspect of being active and being into sports, especially football.”

You can catch Marley in Grease at Palace Theatre Manchester from October 8 to 12 and on tour around the UK until November 16.

Photo: Marc Brenner