Two Australian high schools cancel Grease musical production after students call it offensive

It has been a much-loved film for 44 years, but for two Australian schools, Grease is outdated and offensive. 

Perth students from Scotch College and Presbyterian Ladies' College were due to perform the iconic 1978 musical but decided to cancel their co-production.

The young women said they felt the musical was sexist, offensive and anti-feminist.

The original film starred Australia's Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in the roles of good girl Sandy Olsson and bad boy Danny Zuko who fall in love over the summer holidays and unexpectedly find they are going to the same high school.

During the movie, Sandy embarks on a mission to become increasingly sexier and daring to win over her summertime fling.

Newton-John had previously defended the film against claims it was sexist.

"I know there were some criticisms about me wanting to change to be like him, but they forget that he wanted to change to be what I wanted," she said last year.

Grease remains hugely popular after grossing almost $400 million at the global box office, with several remakes and re-releases helping to introduce the story to new audiences.

The soundtrack to the original Grease film was also a roaring success with over 38 million copies sold worldwide.