It’s hard to believe that it was twenty years ago that Disney’s High School Musical was first released, introducing the world to Troy and Gabriella and the students of East High. Two decades later, the UK is getting its first non-replica production of the stage version which, following a summer run in Salford, bounces into London’s Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre.
The stage show pretty much follows the same story as the film. Starting off a little like Grease, with academic Gabriella starting a new school and bumping into Troy, with whom she shared a brief ski holiday romance. More snowy nights than summer nights, but you get the drift.
Troy is captain of the basketball team but, encouraged by Gabriella’s enthusiasm for the drama club, decides to audition alongside her for the lead roles in Juliet and Romeo. For Troy, that creates tension with both his Wildcats teammates and his father, who also happens to be the team coach. Gabriella, meanwhile, risks jeopardising the maths club’s chances of taking home a trophy.
This is exactly the kind of Disney storytelling you’d expect. David Simpatico’s book is undeniably cheesy and often saccharine sweet, but that’s part of its charm. As Troy and Gabriella throw themselves into the musical, their enthusiasm proves contagious, encouraging classmates to reveal their own hidden passions, from baking to hip-hop. Suddenly, the jocks, brainiacs and skater dudes really are all in this together. The only real obstacle comes in the form of Sharpay and Ryan Evans, a gloriously entertaining partnership from Caitlin Tipping and Luke Bayer, who are determined to sabotage Troy and Gabriella’s chances and keep the spotlight for themselves.
And while the story may be familiar, the sheer joy of this production feels completely fresh. Directors Joseph Houston and William Whelton clearly understand exactly what audiences want from High School Musical. While remaining faithful to the film that captured a generation, they have crafted something energetic and inventive, making full use of the theatre.
I say theatre, but designer Andrew Exeter has superbly transformed the cavernous Troubadour Wembley Park into a semi-immersive experience. A high school gymnasium complete with basketball court, Jumbotron and courtside seating not only looks incredible but makes the audience feel like part of the action from the moment they arrive.
The talented ensemble begin that job before the first note has been sung or the first line spoken, with cheerleaders whipping the crowd into a frenzy ahead of the Wildcats mascot’s arrival. Aaron Renfree’s choreography pays homage to the original while giving us something fresh and utterly exhilarating. This isn’t a musical that simply puts on a show, it invites audiences to relive every awkward, exciting and endlessly optimistic moment of their teenage years.
There’s a lot of love in the room for two particular cast members. Harry Judd, of McFly fame, brings warmth and authority to Coach Bolton, while original film star KayCee Stroh receives a deservedly enthusiastic welcome back to East High as the wonderfully eccentric Ms Darbus. Jordan Benjamin and Char Burnett also make an engaging double act as Chad and Taylor.
The night, however, belongs to Tobias Turley and Leonor Correia as Troy and Gabriella. Their chemistry is immediate and entirely convincing, giving the audience every reason to root for them from the outset. Correia captures Gabriella’s intelligence and confidence beautifully, while also proving a worthy foe for the self-obsessed Sharpay. Turley’s high-energy performance is a wonder to behold. His basketball skills are impressive enough, but it’s his vocals that truly shine. By the time we reach the long-awaited Breaking Free, he genuinely soars.
Unsurprisingly, it’s the songs audiences know and love that generate the biggest reaction. Start of Something New, Get’cha Head in the Game, We’re All in This Together and Breaking Free are greeted with unbridled enthusiasm throughout the auditorium. A handful of newer songs have been added and, while they fit neatly into the show, they inevitably can’t generate quite the same excitement as numbers audiences have spent the last twenty years singing along to.
One of the evening’s biggest laughs comes during a detention scene overseen by Ms Darbus. While the focus is elsewhere, an ensemble member is quietly carrying out a piece of comic business in the background. At first only a handful of people notice, but gradually the laughter spreads across the auditorium as more and more audience members catch on. It’s a small moment, but perfectly encapsulates the level of care and detail that has gone into every aspect of this production.
This is the joyous thing about this High School Musical. Houston and Whelton have painstakingly curated every detail to make it as authentic an experience as possible. From cast members spilling out into the audience to screens recreating the visual language of the film, every creative decision feels considered. The result is an absolute slam dunk, capturing everything audiences loved about the original while finding fresh energy of its own.
Twenty years later, High School Musical continues to bring joy. Fans of the film will revel in the nostalgia, but newcomers will find just as much to enjoy in a production packed with energy, heart and infectious optimism. It’s impossible not to get swept along by its enthusiasm, and even harder not to leave with a smile plastered across your face.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
