Disney's High School Musical Jr

Disney’s High School Musical Jr., staged and performed by the students from Formby High School at the Theatre, Formby High School, Freshfield Road, Formby on Saturday 18th April 2026

Disney’s High School Musical Jr. tells the story of Troy, the popular basketball star, and Gabriella, the academically gifted new girl. After unexpectedly singing together in a holiday karaoke competition, they’re stunned to find themselves reunited at East High. Their decision to audition for the school musical sends shockwaves through the corridors, threatens Sharpay’s carefully laid plans, and challenges the sacred ‘Status Quo’. To ‘Break Free’, they’ll need courage, trust, and a willingness to follow their hearts — and in doing so, they might just inspire everyone else to shine too!

Production Team ... Guiding us through the trials of teenage love, friendship and family were Mrs Harrocks (Producer/Director) and Miss Llewellyn (Director), with choreography by Mrs Harrocks, Miss Llewellyn and Mrs Whitehead, and musical direction from Miss Dilworth. The direction was thoughtful, confident and clearly well‑structured. The choreography, though simple, was cleverly crafted to suit the dancers’ strengths and blended beautifully with the show’s upbeat style. Miss Dilworth’s musical direction deserves a special mention — full of energy, precision and life, bringing out the best in those irresistibly catchy numbers. Having read Mrs Harrocks’ programme notes, it was obvious that this cast truly were “All in This Together” from day one. Their commitment was TOTAL.... well done, everyone.

The Cast ... Seventeen students took to the stage, and from the moment the front cloth parted, they looked ready for the challenges that lay ahead. Well-rehearsed, full of energy, and bursting with enthusiasm — and as soon as those lights came up and we heard ‘Wildcat Cheer’....  it really did just set the tone/tempo for the entire production!  Cast included: 
Maisie O’Sullivan played ‘Troy’;  Aoife Norbury who played Gabriella;
Michael Foster played ‘Ryan’;  Alice McWilliam played ‘Sharpay’;
Francesca Taylor played ‘Martha’ (Lead Hip Hop Dancer); Faye Pierce played ‘Zeke Baylor’
Ruby Franklin played ‘Chad Danforth’ (Troy’s BFF);  Ivy Matejkova played ‘Kelsi’;
Niamh Allen played ‘Taylor’;  Darcey Brown played ‘Jack Scott’ (School Announcer);
Emily McWha played ‘Ms Darbus’ (Drama Teacher);  Eva Clark played ‘Coach Bolton’;
Julia Pike played ‘Ms Tenny’ (Chemistry Teacher)
Thespians/Ensemble – Isabella Murphy, Darcie Gaskill, Sophie McDonald, Amelia Owen and Ella Gutteridge.
This is where I usually start to select a ‘Showstealer’ and MY favourite characters, but sometimes and this is one of those times, that isn’t easy, especially when you can see and tell that this musical shone because the students did. It was obvious throughout that these young performers had thrown themselves into this production ‘lock stock and barrel’. The energy throughout was a highlight for me, there seemed to be a trust in one another and the production became a celebration of teamwork, friends, mates coming together and just having the time of their young lives, so to start suggesting someone was better than someone else, would, in my opinion be wrong. BUT, having said that I am going to pick out three of a few MY favourite characters… you’ll no doubt have you own, but these are mine!  First up … Maisie O’Sullivan just lit up the room as ‘Troy’. Maisie looked so safe and secure in this role, loved the characterisation, loved her energy and her confidence … she worked ever so well with all the cast and that ‘smile’ … that shone throughout the production … just lit up the stage!  Be very proud Maisie!  Michael Foster who played ‘Ryan’ provided us with another fabulous character! Again, oozed confidence, so much expression, with plenty of mannerisms… just took this role and made it his own. Well done, Michael… great job!  Third and final ‘fav’… Francesca Taylor who played ‘Martha’ … the passionate, friendly, happy ‘lead’ Hip Hop Dancer. OMG can this young lady dance!  Whenever or wherever she appeared on stage... front and centre in the spotlight or on the back row, she always had a smile on her face, her every movement was expressed to its full potential, it was obvious from her first entrance to her final bow that she was there to have the time of her life and enjoy every minute... be ever so proud young lady, we could all learn something from that performance!  There were some great vocals throughout of these fabulous songs ... just loved the choreo for ‘Get’ cha Head in the Game’, ‘Bop to the Top’, ‘All in This Together’ and ‘Stick to the Status Quo’.  I know I’ve mentioned names above, BUT NEVER FORGET that this musical would never have reached the stage unless, as the song suggests you ‘We’re all in this together’… be ever so proud!

Staging & Technical ... minimal staging was used throughout, but it never detracted from the performance. The cast had no personal mic’s (budget realities!), so the dialogue and lyrics was totally reliant on diction and projection, which in the main was first class and I missed very few words or song lyrics throughout the production. This musical is littered with rousing songs and anthems, so with no personal mikes, setting the right levels was vital and that responsibility lay solely in the hands of Miss Dilworth who should be complimented on her efforts. Lighting (Charlie) was basic but worked well.  Well done everyone, great job!

Costumes ...  all the costumes looked good, nothing looked amiss, an effective wardrobe!
Props ... again looked and worked well and added to the production.

Constructive Advice ... hope this doesn’t offend ...  just a couple of things to work on for the future:
Spoken Word – Bring the Dialogue to Life
i) Knowing your lines is great — but delivering them without light and shade, emotion and
    emphasis doesn’t give them ‘life’ ... really do need to add this!
 Clarity & Pace
ii) There were moments where lines were rushed, making them harder to hear/understand.
     For the most diction was crisp, but try and keep that volume up, and project right to Row Z.

Thank you so much for inviting my wife and I and for allowing me to briefly chat with the cast and staff post show. It’s always a privilege to attend and speak post show with any cast, but youth theatre holds a special place in my heart. You truly are the future of amateur theatre and even if you don’t pursue performing as a career, theatre is a wonderful hobby — don’t let your talent go to waste. A huge well done to everyone involved. You should be incredibly proud.

Stay Safe, Keep well
“Stronger Together”

Jim Briscoe,
NODA NW
District 6 Rep 

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