High School Musical
Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre
Booking until 3rd January 2027
Photo credit: Matt Crockett
Review
Reunited after a chance encounter at a karaoke while on a ski holiday, Troy (Tobias Turley) meets Gabriella (Leonor Correia) again at East High where she has recently enrolled. The two were forced into the roles they found themselves in because of expectations from their parents and friends. Troy is the captain of the basketball team and Gabriella is one of the most academically gifted students. Both feel they have more to offer and seek to break free from the roles they were cast into. When their vocal talents were accidentally discovered by their drama teacher, Ms Darbus (Kaycee Stroh), they were convinced into working together to audition for the leading roles in their school musical.
Translating one of Disney’s most beloved movies onto the stage, this adaption knows exactly what it is. A faithful and fun adaptation of the original. To this end, it has achieved what it was set out to do and fulfilled exactly this. Audience knows exactly what to expect, a high school romantic story about finding one’s own identify, self-discovery and friendship. It is funny and bursting with energy. The ensemble of cheerleaders in particular do a very good job stirring up the excitement in the auditorium and immersing the audience into the atmosphere of an actual basketball game before the show officially starts.
The story itself is not exactly the most innovative and the production plays it rather safe, sticking to what it knows and offering little beyond familiarity and nostalgia. Despite this, there is no doubt that it is a fun and an enjoyable experience. Drama club president, Sharpay (Caitlin Tipping), leaves behind a trail of laughter in her every attempt to obstruct Troy and Gabriella’s audition. Together with her twin brother, Ryan (Luke Bayer), they create some of the funniest moments in the show. Their rendition of “What I’ve been looking for” for example, is just comedy gold.
However, just don’t expect too much beyond a generic love story with comedic side characters. Turley and Correia are convincing leads, portraying hesitations to show their classmates their true selves initially, gradually open up to each other and making their feelings known to those around them. The two actors do a wonderful job showcasing their character’s evolution and how they gain confidence doing something they never thought they would. The cast as a whole brings ample energy to their roles, joining forces in “We’re all in this together” to blow the roof off of the theatre.
The stage designed by Andrew Exeter resembles a basketball court, transforming into classrooms and the theatre stage as required. The live video designed by George Reeve, is used to capture the broadcasting moments of the show and provides a live feed of the audience to capture the energy of spectators, project these to tv screens on stage. This is yet another clever way to recreate the basketball game atmosphere. All of this, and combined with lighting designed by Rory Beaton definitely speaks to significant financial backing, making this production a glitzy experience.
This production ticks many boxes, it is fun, nostalgic, energetic and an easy-to-understand story that links all these components together. Just don’t expect anything new or too groundbreaking, that is not where it shines. The cats of this production are playful, but they are more domesticated than wild.
Creatives
Book: David Simpatico
Co-Directors: Joseph Houston, William Whelton
Musical Direction: Audra Cramer
Choreography: Aaron Renfree
Set Design: Andrew Exeter
Video Design: George Reeve
Sound Design: Matt Peploe
Lighting Design: Rory Beaton
Costume Design: Sophia Pardon
Wigs and Hair Design and WHAM Supervision: Angie Carradus, Jackie Sweeney
Make-up Design: Dominic Skinner
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