The 1978 film Grease is 'a piece of history' and should not be changed, according to one Lunchtime Live listener.

It comes amid suggestions from some younger people online that elements of it are problematic and sexist.

A lyric from 'Summer Nights', asking whether the the lead female character of Sandy 'Put up a fight?', has come in for particular criticism.

The film was released in 1978 but is set in the 1950s.

Caller Sean has directed the musical on stage and told the show it is not about morals.

"I think, ultimately, it's a lyric that you have to explain to young people in particular when you're working with them," he said.

"A lot of professionals will have issues with it as a lyric.

"When you took Grease as what it is, which is a slice of Americana, it was Americans commenting on how things were in the '50s.

"There were clever lyrics embedded all the way through the show.

"If you take that and if you understand that, it is not something we're going to use as a moral compass or as something that we're going to look up to.

"It is a piece of history, that is realistically what it is - it's set 70 years ago."

Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta as Sandy and Danny in 1978's Grease. Picture by: Allstar Picture Library Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo

Sean said there are some problematic messages, like the idea of having to 'change to get the guy'.

"There's a lot of things in Grease that are problematic; it doesn't stop us not enjoying [it] to a certain extent," he said.

"It's right up there still as the world's number one musical."

Sean said it is important to leave things as they were.

"If we start to wash over stuff that wasn't great, then all of a sudden it's going to start to get forgotten," he said.

"Then we will have forgotten the lessons that we learned from it.

"I'm not saying extremely, like in this case, but we've got to show those issues and we've got to not be afraid to perform."

'Can we not just enjoy it?'

Another caller Suzie said there is no need to change anything.

"I got the day off school to go and see Grease when I was 11, I'm now 57 years of age," she said.

"I just think it's taking it to the extreme; it was made for fun.

"I danced around my kitchen the whole time it was on, my stepdaughter's favourite movie, it's just incredible.

"I do agree with exactly what people are saying, but again I think it's taking it to the extreme.

"I just think why can we not just enjoy it? I just don't understand why people would take such offence with it?"

'You're going to offend somebody'

Lauren, who has played the 'Sandy' character in the musical at Dublin's Gaiety Theatre, said she sees no issue.

"If you go through anything with a fine comb, chances are you're going to offend somebody," she said.

"I would have thought Grease of all of them was one of the less offensive ones.

"Even musicals today, like Book of Mormon, there's so many ones there where they really go on the edge.

"If you know what they're about, and you feel like it's something that might offend you, just don't go," she added.

Cathal, who is a member of a musical society in Portlaoise, said several other productions have similar issues.

"I think it's art as well, it's a musical," he said.

"If you look across the board - at Hairspray or The Colour Purple or the Book of Mormon - they all have certain elements of something problematic.

"It's something I suppose that's being addressed, and it's put on stage as a show and a story rather than something to berate women or be sexist or misogynistic," he added.

Main image: Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta as Sandy and Danny in 1978's Grease. Picture by: Photo 12 / Alamy Stock Photo