High School Musical On Stage!

This high energy show is a true delight for both cast and audience. This extremely fast paced show was an ideal choice Quarry Bank Musical Theatre Society’s Youth Section. The sheer enjoyment of everyone involved was truly infectious and appreciated, demonstrated with joy and enthusiasm by the audience cheering, applauding and dancing in the aisles.

The show presents a sort of Disney-fied view of American High School life and Director and Choreographer, Zoe Russell, captured it superbly.  The two lead characters – Troy, the sporty basketball player, characterised with great maturity and talent by Harrison Eno and Gabriella Montez, the new girl and science geek, played by Alice Hamilton, making the part her own from the beginning and never disappointing, meet on vacation, not knowing that their paths will cross when they meet up at school. The school diva and “star of the drama class”, Sharpay Evans, played by Lily Grace Wooldridge, and her brother Ryan, played by Jackson Fryer, provide the scheming contrast as they plot to ensure that our lovebirds do not get cast in the school production. This double act works extremely well, supporting each other with the well-placed putdowns – Jackson’s energy throughout never wains – a consummate lesson in how to wring every comical nuance out of a part without any sign of flagging!

An eclectic array of characters are paraded with some great cameo opportunities. Mrs Darbus, the leader of the drama class, played by Louise Perks, had great fun with the role, with her caring, artistic qualities allowing her to be taken complete advantage of by the student body – particularly loved Chad, played by Finn Dyas Harrold and his improvised earthworm impression eliciting what I thought was the greatest line in the show from our passionately creative drama teacher – “I had no idea an earthworm had such depth of feeling!” Another staff member, Coach Bolton, played with great confidence and stage presence by Jack Head was a joy to watch and just happens to be Troy’s Dad! A whole host of beautifully played well drawn characters were in evidence in supporting roles including Sophie Young’s Taylor Mckessie and Kersten Davies’ Kelsi Neilson but a mention must go to Seb Roache as the DJ Jack Scott who had the audience in the palm of his hand as he regularly popped up with great comic timing and charm!

There are some amazing opportunities in this high-energy show for musical highlights with all credit to Musical Director Nick Jeavons and an amazing band – one such moment was a great solo rendition of “Get’cha Head in the Game” from Harrison, one of the few solo numbers in the show. Troy also enjoyed several duets which came off perfectly with Gabriella, loved ‘The Start of Something New’ and ‘What I’ve Been Looking For’, both very moving. The majority of the numbers are huge company numbers – showcasing Zoe Russell’s amazing choreography, from the outset ‘Wildcat Cheer’ set the theatre alight with its power and impact, ‘Bop to the Top’ showed Lily’s Sharpay talents beautifully and a brilliantly exciting and vibrant number at the same time, the piece de resistance was the finale, the ‘Megamix’ as we revisited all the great numbers of the show at breakneck speed and much to the delight of the adoring public.

A hugely talented and extremely enthusiastic cast of Theatre Kids, Skaters and Jocks added tremendously to the enjoyment of the show, providing a colourful array of characters and great company numbers, all having a great time and making sure that the audience did too!

This show not only demonstrated the amazing versatility and abilities of a talented cast and production team but its success was made possible by admirable technical support. It is a show that cannot be allowed to pause – and this was achieved by Stage Manager, Stewart Homer and the Team Hazelwood Crew who made the scene changes supremely efficient and almost imperceptible, this was completed by effective lighting and sound from The Lighting Factory and Black Country Audio.  A great night, I’m sure enjoyed by all but very much by me. My most grateful thanks to everyone at Quarry Bank Musical Theatre Society for their kind invitation and the warmest of welcomes, they were very gratefully appreciated.

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