Ian Cheeseman is swept up by the energy, nostalgia and feelgood staging of Disney revival before its transfer to Wembley.
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL – the Lowry – until 9th September before transferring to Troubadour, Wembley from 12th October to 3rd January 2027
What a show, packed full of energy, catching songs and an innocent storyline that reminds us all, no matter our age, how life should be.
It’s a story from Disney stable that was originally a TV special. It grew into the cultural phenomenon of the generation grew up in the early 2000s. It’s lead male, Zac Effron, became a superstar and some of the songs became the soundtrack of the Millennials. Twenty Years later Hope Mill Theatre, the amazing diamond of creativity in Manchester, led by Joseph Houston and William Whelton, persuaded Disney to allow them to direct this revival, which is perfect.
It must have taken a lot of trust by Disney and the loyal audience couldn’t wait to see it. No-one was disappointed or left that theatre without pure joy in their souls.
No expense was spared on the set and the huge and talented cast. Jason Donovan plays Coach Bolton and one of the original stars of the TV Musical, Kaycee Stroh brings Ms Darbus (brilliantly) to the stage.
All the lead actors were top class, from Tobias Turley, who was the male winner of the TV Casting show Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream and played Sky in the West End as his prize. Leonor Correia his love interest Gabiella. Their voices blended beautifully. The standout performer, in my opinion, was Caitlin Tipping who played Sharpay, she got the comedy spot and she had great chemistry with Luke Bayer, who played her twin brother Ryan.
There was so much joy in the Lyric Theatre, on the evening I went and there was lots of audience reaction. There was even a section of audience seating on stage, in the bleachers they’d created around the basketball court, which formed the main stage.
I made a video for my son when he turned eighteen, which featured clips from his life to that point and there’s a three-minute section that shows him performing with neighbour kids in our garden, with the song Breaking Free as the soundtrack. He was sat alongside me as we watched the show at the Lowry, which made me feel quite emotional. He loved the show and the young girl on the row in front had the time of her life, singing and clapping along.
This show was for them more than me, but I loved it too. Messrs Houston and Whelton, the directors, added a level of immersion that will no doubt be developed further when it transfers to the Troubadour at Wembley, which recently staged Starlight Express, and had performers skating all around the theatre. It’s a venue that will be perfect for High School Musical, but I’d recommend going to the Lowry before mid-October if you can.