IT has now been 40 years since Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta appeared on the big screen to bring us Grease.

And next month, young actors will be taking to stages in Braintree and Witham as they seek to follow in the footsteps of Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson.

Four performances will take place at Witham Public Hall and another four showings are also scheduled to take place at Bocking Arts Theatre.

It tells the tale of two youngsters who meet during their summer vacation and fall in love, but when they return to college things are a little different.

Sandy describes Danny as the perfect boy while across the school yard Danny tries to keep his cool before his T-Bird gang.

That is until the two come face-to-face and have to hide their sudden shock and embarrassment at both ending up at the same college.

The show has a brilliant comic script, toe tapping songs and is suitable for the entire family.

A string of classic hits such as Greased Lightnin’, We Go Together, Born to Hand Jive, Look at Me I’m Sandra Dee and Hopelessly Devoted to You will all be performed during the show.

The energetic 1950s rock ‘n’ roll choreography - under the direction of Vikki Purton, a trained dancer and director - will get your heart pumping.

Meanwhile, the six-piece band guided by director Patrick Tucker will bring authenticity to the score.

Danny will be played by Sean Hynes, while Halstead’s Amber Turner will take to the stage as Sandy.

Constance Lawton, a well know actress from Maldon, is to play Rizzo.

The show opens on July 5 in Witham and will run until July 7.

It then heads to Braintree and the Bocking Arts Theatre on July 12 where it will run until July 15.

Tickets are available at www.tickets2c.co.uk or by calling 01376 567677.

Visit withampublichall.co.uk or thebockingartstheatrecomplex.co.uk.