THEATRE / David Benedict on Theatre

Grease, which has been running for a year, has played to capacity houses since opening night. (The guest list for Saturday night's birthday party ran the gamut from Nicholas Parsons to Jason Donovan - remember him?). At the 2001-seat Dominion, that's quite an achievement (and cause for investors' glee as they watch takings top pounds 18 million).

Originally a five-hour amateur show in Chicago in 1971, by June of the following year, after considerable re-shaping, it was on Broadway, where it stayed, until February 1980.

In all its various incarnations, casting has played a key role. The 1973 London production starred an unknown by the name of Richard Gere. The movie, a vehicle for John Travolta and Olivia Newton John, actually did more for the reputation of Stockard Channing who, 16 years later, led the British cast of Six Degrees of Separation and was less than impressed at being known here for little else. The sequel, which starred Michelle Pfeiffer, had little in common with the original except a movie-stealing performance from Eve Arden. Tommy Tune's current Broadway revival stars Rosie O'Donnell as Rizzo, and London has replaced Debbie Gibson with Sonia (left), the notorious refugee from the Eurovision Song Contest.

From Monday, she is joined by Shane Richie who as far back as 1983 won 'Best up-and-coming Act with Star Quality at the Jersey Variety Club Awards. In true showbiz style, he was Craig McLachlan's understudy. If his friends could see him now.

Dominion Theatre: 071-580 8845

(Photograph omitted)