Review: Disney’s High School Musical, Newcastle Theatre Royal

Jul 22 2008 by David Whetstone, The Journal

HIGH School Musical – Live on Stage must be the most highly anticipated show of the summer.

And that was proven last night when a sell out audience of cheerleaders and basketball players packed into the Theatre Royal.

Walking into the auditorium there was no mistaking what you were about to see – a giant High School Musical curtain was already in place over the stage. A mix of Grease, Fame and true Disney magic makes it something you are either going to love or hate.

And the audience loved it.

An adaptation of any film is risky – in case the atmosphere of the story cannot be captured. But there was no risk of that as the cast entered the stage with the opening number Wildcat Cheer.

The audience – young and old – clapped along and got into the Disney spirit straight away and kept their enthusiasm throughout. Dance routines with pompoms and basketballs added complexity – but were effortlessly carried-off by the 30-strong cast.

Changes to the film helped the story flow on stage. Extra songs using popular tunes added to the plot and allowed the company to take part in more musical numbers.

Something that did not work so well was a number of dialogue scenes. Although essential to the plot, the young audience got restless and talkative. But Ashley Day (Troy) and Lorna Want (Gabriella) captured the chemistry of their characters amazingly and Helen George (Sharpay) had the bitchy edge needed to pull of her role, with Lee Honey-Jones (Ryan) having just the right amount of campness.

The storyline, songs and dances are so irresistibly cheesy it was impossible not to sing along, clap your hands and leave the theatre with a smile on your face.

Kelly Huscroft