THE T-Birds’ quiffs are greased up to a mirror-like sheen, the Pink Ladies are preened and set for some heart-breaking and Danny and Sandy are poised to pick up their Summer Lovin’ where they left off. The countdown to the premiere of the Summer Youth Project’s Grease has begun.

Tonight the 180-strong cast will transport audiences back to the 1950s when leather-clad bad boys ran riot and poodle skirts were all the rage.

Over the past ten days, the teenagers have lived, breathed and (barely) slept the iconic musical, reporting promptly at 10am every morning for rehearsals at the Wyvern Theatre, running their lines, drilling lyrics and mastering tricky dance routines for up to seven hours a day until they were deemed stage-ready.

“This is a good way to learn,” says Henry Firth, who plays Danny Zuko.

“It’s about learning to listen to the director and what you have to look out for. It’s not about ego; it’s about gaining experience, adds the 17-year-old from Old Town. “The first show will be challenging. Everybody has opening night nerves. Once we’ve got over that it should run pretty smoothly.”

Based on the original musical, not the iconic film, with the slight tweaks, set list and chronological changes it entails, the SYP’s Grease follows teenagers Sandy and Danny, who, after a brief summer romance, are unexpectedly reunited when she transfers to his school, Rydell High. There, Sandy must contend with cynical Rizzo, the Pink Ladies, and Danny’s own laddish aloofness and macho façade to win his heart again.

The aim of Summer Youth Project is to provide local young people aged nine to 21, with the opportunity to work together in a professional theatre under the supervision of a creative team including a professional director, choreographer, musical director, musicians and technical crew- all in less than 2 weeks. Each year, the project culminates in five full-scale performances.

All performance are sold out except tomorrow’s 4pm matinee. To book visit swindontheatres.co.uk or call 01793 524 481.