Review: HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre
Photo credit: Tristram Kenton
We're all in this together…and, for a couple of hours, it's rather lovely and nostalgia to be back at East High.
For many, High School Musical is such a big part of their childhood or when they were raising their own children, making this a nostalgic and special show. Following its run at Manchester’s Lowry, High School Musical has now arrived at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre.
The entire stage of the Troubadour is transformed into a huge basketball court, and during the pre-show, cheerleaders are on stage getting involved, encouraging a bit of friendly competition between different parts of the audience and creating a buzz. This fun touch immediately makes you feel part of the experience. After the interval, the audience are hyped up again, with fun camera work reminiscent of the big American sports games. This all makes the audience actually part of the Wildcats' world.
The staging is quite simple. Rather than constantly changing the set, it keeps the basketball court, with additions and details helping to establish the different locations. One particularly clever moment, using props, is during the final basketball game, with lighting used inside the ball to add tension, and is really effective. There’s also some great use of video, with characters occasionally appearing on screens at tense moments. And throughout there is plenty of attention to detail, reminiscent of the early-2000s, which is captured nicely through little touches such as the iPods and speakers, transporting you back to the time of the original film.
The show does take a little while to find its rhythm. The opening number introduces the main characters, yet it’s the big ensemble songs that are the most fun. ‘Get’cha Head in the Game’ is a particular highlight for its brilliant choreography with basketballs, from Aaron Renfree. These bigger numbers are great for making the most of the space and have such a fun and infectious energy.
The soundtrack is a big draw in for many. The show mixes the familiar songs from the film with numbers from the original stage musical. The songs from the film do have that extra familiarity and buzz about them. The original stage musical songs are enjoyable, too, though they don't always have quite the same impact or recognition as the classics.
The cast brings plenty of energy. Tobias Turley makes a strong Troy Bolton, with his great stage presence and spot-on vocals, although his American accent can waiver a bit at times. Leonor Correia brings a sweetness to Gabriella, although we would have liked a little more depth and strength from her performance. Caitlin Tipping and Luke Bayer are a highlight as Sharpay and Ryan. They make a brilliant duo, and Tipping in particular is a joy to watch. She looks fantastic in the role and brings plenty of comedy and character to Sharpay. Bayer is a very good Ryan, although we wanted a little more from the character. Though this is not so much about his performance but more how the role is written, as Bayer is a very capable and charismatic performer, but it seemed like he was not given as many opportunities to flaunt his role. Char Burnett as Taylor and Jordan Benjamin as Chad are another great pairing. They both really embody their roles and characters, and whenever they're given the spotlight, they shine and have so much presence.
The ensemble though really deserve the recognition. The big group numbers are some of the strongest moments, and the cast have so much enthusiasm and fun with these. Everyone feels like a character in their own right, which makes the production feel much bigger and more alive. Eddie Zickerman deserves a special mention for his comedy as Jack Scott. His physical performance, particularly one moment crawling across the stage as an earthworm, generates the most laughs in the show. Simeon Beckett is also very sweet and lovable as Zeke, while Alexander Black has a very fun moment when he confesses to his cello playing during ‘Stick to the Status Quo’, and he stands out as embodying the American persona very well. The ‘Bop to the Top’ and ‘Stick to the Status Quo’ numbers are particularly fun and brilliant ensemble moments. Although we would have loved Sharpay and Ryan to have a little more room to dominate Bop to the Top, it's still a lot of fun.
KayCee Stroh, who played Martha Cox in the original Disney films, is a great addition as Ms Darbus, and it’s a nice way to connect this production back to the film franchise in this way. Stroh brings some great comedy, although we do feel she could have been given a little more to work with. Harry Judd, a member of boyband McFly, is a convincing Coach Bolton, looking the part and working well alongside Turley. Their father-and-son dynamic feels natural, even though the writing feels that it doesn’t always give Judd as much opportunity to stand out.
Yes, this show may be cheesy in parts, and not every number lands with quite the same impact, but it's also a lot of fun, with strong choreography, impressive staging and a cast who are clearly having so much fun. If you want a nostalgic night out, an opportunity to revisit some familiar songs and a show that doesn't take itself too seriously, High School Musical is worth a visit. It gives you the chance to go back to your younger self, sing along to songs you grew up with and have fun.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Alexandra Tullah
