High School Musical Jr.

Based on the 2006 Disney movie of the same name, High School Musical Jr. gives us a reduced version of the same story, set in East High as the pupils return from their winter break and quickly divide into their competing factions. Troy and Gabriella are being pulled in different directions by their interest in drama and this leads to tests of friendship, with family issues and schoolwork to contend with as well.

The Barn Studio Theatre is a very comfortable space and the air conditioning was most welcome on the hot evening I attended. We received a very warm and friendly welcome from Ewan and Artemis and took our seats with great anticipation. The simple but very atmospheric set, designed and built by James Beale and well painted by students at the Portsmouth College of Art, was used throughout with some additions hung from the high level crossover. It all worked very well with changes being made very quickly by the cast. Costumes (sadly not credited in the programme) were spot on, with great attention to detail.

Right from the start this show was full of exuberant energy, with Artemis’s simple yet imaginative choreography filling the stage, with everyone giving it their all and looking like they were having a great time. Solo and chorus singing was to a good standard, and although Tom Davison’s sound system was very clear, some people’s diction could have been better and dialogue slowed down a little so that we could hear all the words. Clarity was not helped by the American accents, although they were excellent. Chris Pratt’s inventive lighting design added greatly to the atmosphere and allowed the small stage to be divided into areas.

Sadly I only have space to mention a few of you individually. Ava McMillan impressed as Ms Darbus the teacher, nicely controlled and “in charge”. Fern Sheldon and Sophie Tyrrell were well paired as Sharpay and Ryan – Fern bold and confident, Sophie more subtle but no less effective. Both are strong singers on their own but also duetted beautifully together.  Patrick Smith showed great confidence and stage presence as Zeke, but the two who I will remember for a long time were Wills Illman and Emily Jarman as Troy and Gabriella. Both gave great character and realism to their roles, delighting us with their melodic singing, both solo and in their duets. Their reprise of “What I’ve Been Looking For” was really moving.

“We’re All In This Together” was a great way to end the story – powerful chorus singing and great movement. This was followed by the Megamix – it was a nice touch handing out individual lines to different people – a great way to get everyone involved.

The full-colour programme was of excellent quality with photos of the cast. Your advance publicity on social media was well conceived (Emily Jarman) allowing us to get to know the characters before seeing the show.

School is the one experiences that unites us all, so it is no surprise that shows set in schools are so popular, and while the American experience must be rather different from ours, the same issues prevail, and it was obvious that everyone in the cast identified with the story and gave everything they’d got to it, making this a fantastic show for us to watch. A big THANK YOU  to everyone involved – it was a great evening!

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