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THIS year sees the 30th anniversary of the hit musical film 'Grease'. It is indeed 30 years since John Travolta and Olivia Newton John first hit the silver screen, in what has turned out to be a classic movie.

A movie that has been shown many times on television, made into video and DVD and even a stage show, and there is no doubt that 'Grease' is still as popular as ever.

But forget about 'Grease' and the adventures of the pupils at Rydell High for the moment. How about 'Diesel' and Hawick High.

Thanks to the work currently taking place at the Hawick Pantomime Group, this is what is set to hit the Town Hall stage in April. Although having similarities with the Grease storyline, 'Diesel' is a brand new show with a strong local theme.

Written and produced by Graham Ford, this special spring presentation from the panto players has all the makings of being a big success. Taking to the Hawick News, Graham told me: "It has taken me around 15 months to write most of the script. And about three months to settle on the ending, as I kept changing it. I am quite pleased about the finish now though, as it has a bit of a twist about it. It also has the feel good factor about it, and with the showing going out just ahead of the picking of the Cornet I hope it can also give the town a lift at the perfect time of year."

Speaking with great enthusiasm about a show that is certainly going to be different from anything presented in Hawick before Graham went on to say. "The show 'Diesel' has a strong Hawick-Gala flavour about it, the Hawick characters all speak in the broad Hawick accent while the Gala ones are posh. Everything is very much tongue in cheek of course, the audiences will relate to the humour."

Reflecting on some of the material he has written for the production Graham said: "A lot of the jokes are picked from conversations I have been in or situations I have been involved in. Most of the stories are from real life. So some people in the audience could well relate to a story about themselves."

A lot of hard work and thought, has been put into the panto groups forthcoming presentation to give it loads of local appeal.

There are characters such as Kirk Style, Lyn Wood, Albert Road and Oliver Crescent, while songs range from 'Doon Toon' to the numbers from 'Grease' that have had their words changed to suit the Hawick show.
Many of the scenes are branch offs from 'Grease' with the seaside setting being Spittal Beach, and the fairground setting being none other that the 'Haugh' at the Common-Riding.

Graham is well pleased with he way rehearsals have been going, he said: "A lot of hard work is still to be done. I am very happy with the cast though, which includes some new faces as well as some panto members taking parts for the first time."

Graham added: "Lesley Kerr is in the leading lady role, which is a big step up from her last role when she was 'Happy' in the December production of Snow White. But she is doing brilliantly, she will be alongside Graeme Tinlin who was the Prince in Snow White and they seem to have gelled well together well. Paul Robson who used to be a leading jockey, has swapped the saddle for his first ever bash
at performing on stage. But he has fitted into things really well, and I think will surprise a few people. There are also a number of panto regulars and a lot of people in the chorus which should really lift the volume of the show.

Our choreographer Maria Leng is doing a brilliant job with the dance numbers and is Liz Parkes we have a first class musical director. Diesel has a big panto slant, and humour. But at the same time it is different, its something new and there will be a few surprises for people."

Graham is not giving much away but did say that the show has a strong Scocha influence and I am sure the followers of the band will be intrigued to find out more about this, there will also be a cameo appearance from a mystery singer towards the end of the show.
Diesel sure looks like being a show worth seeing!.

The show runs from April 29 to May 3, tickets go on sale on March 22 at Beanscene from 10am to 4pm