High School Musical Jr

Back to East High, the Jocks, Brainiacs, Thespians all find their cliques. Basketball team captain and resident jock, Troy, has discovered that the brainy Gabriella has enrolled at East High. The couple cause an upheaval when they decide to audition for the high school musical. Although many students resent the threat posed to the “status quo” Troy and Gabriella’s alliance might just open the door for others to shine as well.

The audience were met by a very good looking and well-lit set, which included an upper level approached by two sets of stairs with a central basket-ball net, relating to the East High Wildcats team. The opening number ‘Wild Cats’ set the bar and later ‘Get’cha Head In The Game’ with ball players and cheer leaders was a great number.  Gabriella (Poppy Banks on the night I watched) and Troy (Matthew Houghton on the night I watched) performed ever so well together and made an endearing couple; both acted, moved and sang well.

Troy thinks it would be cool to be in the musical, but when news breaks that they are thinking of auditioning together for the leads, this upsets Sharpay and Ryan as they thought they were the only ones auditioning for the leads. Played by Zara Walmsley and Annabel Parsons respectively they worked well together and their actual audition number had great musicality. Sharpay had quite a strong character, self-centred and this was well played by Walmsley, never shy in making trouble as President of the Drama Club! But when Gabriella and Troy audition, which was also a lovely number, they get a call back! ‘Stick to the Status Quo’ was a great closing number to Act 1. Kelsie Nielson played by Harla Penning wrote the show and periodic news releases by Frankie Cook-Stephens and Maisie Forrester were provided which all added to the action.

There is also some rivalry between Coach Bolton (Mabel Wilding) and Miss Darbus the teacher (Edith Dean) and this is well portrayed. Troy states he does not want to do the call back  to pacify the guys, then it is discovered that a big game and auditions clash. Both Joe Hunt (Chad) and Harry Woolfendon (Zeke) make a great contribution to their scenes.  ‘Counting on You’ is another good number by Gabriella and Troy and ‘We’re All in This together’ by the company.

The strength of the company is clear from the depth of talent amongst the smaller roles; Tilly Caddick (Cyndra), Iona Laidler (A Jock), Jorgie Ardis (Martha Cox) , Georgia Perrigo (Taylor),  Grace Pullin (Ripper), Georgina Norris (Miss Tenny), Robin Adorisio (Kratnoff), Jahzara Baxter (James), Daisy Swatton (Susan), Lily Betteridge  (Cathy), Demi Delord (Scottie Scott) and the very watchable Jess Kelly (Martha Cox), as well as a number of thespians, cheerleaders and brainiacs!

I thought the volume of the backing music was good, well dressed as usual and the standard of choreography was excellent and carried off well by everyone. Congratulations to director Leanne Cook, musical director Sarah Stone and choreographer Nikki Parsons.

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