The popular American high-school musical, Grease has been adapted for the Ugandan audience.

Originally released as a musical in 1971 and as a film in 1978, Grease came to the National Theatre in Kampala as a lively and fun filled musical through the Kampala Amateur Dramatics Society (KADS) from June 5 to 8.

This was the first time the musical had been staged in Uganda.

Grease was created by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey and is named for the 1950s United States working-class youth subculture known as greasers.

Grease tells the story of teenage friendships, love and angst. It tackles social issues like teenage pregnancy and gang violence; its themes include love, friendship, teenage rebellion, peer pressure, sexual exploration during adolescence, and class consciousness.

Douglas Sebamala plays “bad boy” Danny Zuko and “the girl next door,” Sandy Dumbrowski, is played by Rebecca Richards.

Sebamala said taking on the role of Danny was a challenge as well as a reassurance of his own abilities and gifts. “I knew I could sing and I’ve always been passionate about acting, but Grease made me believe that I can take on any character and give it life. Now I may consider a career in music,” he said.

Richards said she grew up watching the movie Grease, and saw several stage productions of the show, so she was thrilled to hear that KADS was putting it on.

“After auditioning, I was elated to learn I would play Sandy. She is an interesting character; innocent and sweet on the one hand but also secretly desperate to fit in. She is upset with Danny in many scenes so my personal challenge was making her dynamic and likeable while still showing her growing frustration at not being able to fit in,” Richards said.

“Grease shows the social pressures teenagers face everywhere. The specific types of pressures may differ from place to place, but the idea is the same — teenagers want to fit in with their peers and be accepted,” she added.

Show producer Helen O’Flinn said KADS adapted Grease for the Ugandan audience. “There are many references in the performance related to Uganda and Ugandan culture within the script. These were revised at the suggestion of the director and actors themselves.”

There was a positive response from the Ugandan audience. “Ugandans are having fun and the cast received many laughs during the show,” O’Flinn said. “The musical provides lessons about teenage friendship, angst, love and how to mend relations between friends.”