Troubadour Theatre, London
****
Music adapted, arranged and produced by Bryan Louiselle
Book by David Simpatico
Directed by Joseph Houston and William Whelton
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| Tobias Turley and the cast of High School Musical |
Just opened at Wembley’s Troubadour Theatre, High School Musical is a glorious celebration of all that is wonderful in musical theatre performance. Drawn from the movie of 20 years ago, talented Manchester duo Joseph Houston and William Whelton have taken Disney’s original, restaging it with imagination and flair for the present day.
Yes, the story may be sweet and shallow but it oozes humanity and heart. Set in the all-American East High school, as basketball jock Troy and geeky brainiac Gabriella discover a surprising love amidst the chords of a song, the strength of their self-belief and the support of their friends sees them outwit the jealous bully Sharpay, that all leads towards a deliciously predictable happy ending.
The cast’s star billings are headed by McFly’s Harry Judd as Coach Bolton and Kaycee Stroh – a Disney High School Musical original cast member - as Ms Darbus the school’s drama teacher desperately trying to stage the eponymous musical. The real performing strengths of this young company however rest with the actors playing East High’s pupils. Tobias Turley and Leonor Correia are Troy and Gabriella, both investing beautifully in the credibility of their characters. Not only that , their singing is exquisite too. Matching them in vocal charm – and possibly stealing the evening’s dance-based laurels are Caitlin Tipping as Sharpay and Luke Bayer as her brother Ryan. Their deftly executed routines are immaculately delivered.
This is an evening where the show’s entire ensemble are quite simply magnificent. On Andrew Exeter’s stunning baseball court/gym of a set – that is equally brilliantly lit by Rory Beaton, choreographer Aaron Renfree has drilled his company into imaginative routines that are performed with pinpoint precision, while the imaginative technical touches that include creating the scoring of a spectacular basket in the show’s nail-biting basketball climax makes for a magical coup de théâtre.
The massive space at Wembley lends itself to this gorgeous spectacle of Americana. A simple story, beautifully told and flawlessly performed. Take your teens (or your teenage selves), grab some popcorn and go see this slam-dunk of a show.
Runs until 3rd January 2027
Photo credit: Matt Crockett
