'High School Musical' has been around for a while now; the film was 2006. Two years' later I watched the film - a group I was teaching wanted to perform a number from the show so needed to keep abreast of the current mode - and I absolutely hated it. Ever since then, I have managed to avoid the musical....until now!
Let's face it, I am not the target group for this show.. I was heavily into 'Grease' as a young teenager [the film came out in 1978], and now, as a middle-aged, and somewhat grumpy, critic, I found 'High School Musical' to be unbelievably twee, superficial, and childish.... but of course I would... no surprises there, and an extremely tame version of the aforementioned 'Grease'. Despite my love of 'Grease' I still hated all the Americanisms in the show, and here too, it was clear that the High School in question was just about as far removed as it possibly could be from a British high school, and for this particular reviewer, that is both a shame and a problem. OK, moan over......(promise!)
'High School Musical' tells the story of young love pitched against the US school system, where a star basketball player (a 'jock') and a science nerd ( a 'brainiac') fall in love through theatre, and upset the 'status quo' of the school; knocking the school's dream couple off their top perch in the process.
In this production which featured around 100 young children and teenagers from NK Theatre Arts in Romiley, it was not just upbeat, but wildly energetic and enthusiatically performed by all. Of course the real 'stars' of this evening's production were the tiny tots - a whole group of pre- and nursery school children dressed in cheerleader outfits who came on for many of the full chorus numbers providing a true 'ahh' factor. But the energy and enjoyment from all on stage was palpable - these youths were obviously having the time of their lives.
The set was a US high school sports gym with steps either side and a rostra across the rear. Posters of 'Wildcats', the school's basketball team adorned the front. There are many, sometimes rarher swift, scene changes in the show, but mostly these were timely executed and the pace never once dipped. The lighting was basic but effective, and the costumes were excellent throughout. Musically, one assumes that the company utilised the official backing tracks, and the sound levels here were good, never overloud. It was the choreography in this particular production which truly shone. Hannah Thomas and Amy Earith have lifted the show to a new level with their superb routines, all of which worked excellently.
Of course, it goes without saying really that the cast was superbly chosen, and all worked wondefully in these roles, truly embodying the spirit of the show wholeheartedly. The American accents were also quite passable too! Sharpay (Olivia Barton) was without question the detestable beauty queen prima donna bitch that she was supposed to have been, and her attitude and relationships with the other cast totally in character. Working alongside her, as her thespian partner was Ryan (Sam Hardman), whose more sympathetic - and honest - approach was excellently measured, and I enjoyed his comedy dancing too. New girl in town, Gabriella (Maisie McHugh), a 'brainiac' who accidently rocks the boat for the better, was played with simplistic charm and earnestness, and worked well alongside Troy (Sam Jeffries), who tried hard to be every inch the 'jock' with a heart and mind of his own. However. for me, there were three smaller cast members who deserve a special mention too. First, I absolutely loved the character of Jack Scott as the school's radio announcer, played by Finn Derbyshire. One cool dude! The 'brainiacs' second-in-command [not knowing the musical that well, I didn't really hear the name of the character, but just in case I've got it wrong, then she was wearing a white cheerleader outfit and had long ginger hair] Taylor, played by Megan Voss. And finally, the girl who wrote the school musical 'Juliet And Romeo', a slightly awkward, not truly fitting in, musical nerd, who I [again not absolutely sure I have the right name...!] believe was called Kelsi, and played superbly by Jessica Camilleri.
All in all, this was a truly high energy, feel-good show; aimed of course primarily at the young girl teeny-boppers, but nevertheless, I still came away from the show very much on a high, having enjoyed watching so many youngsters not only doing what they obviously love, but making an excellent job of it into the bargain! It must have been 'what I've been looking for', by teaching me not to 'stick to the status quo'! Bravissimi!
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 13.7.22
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