Theatre & Dance

Tickets for High School Musical at the Norwich Theatre Royal sold out quicker than you can say it's the Start Of Something New - and a packed house raised the roof on the show's opening night in Norfolk on Monday, 11 February, 2008.

For those of us maybe more familiar with Grease's iconic Sandra Dee and Danny Zukko - than High School Musical's Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez - the opening of this musical production is instantly familiar.

Gabriella, science whiz and new transfer student and Troy, super-popular jock and captain of the Wildcats' basketball team, stand on the steps of East High belting out the Start Of Something New - which tells the story of their recent holiday romance - not knowing at the time they're very close to being reunited.

New character

The new character of Jack Scott (Richard Vincent) helps to nudge along the action, appearing as East High's version of Rydell High's Vince Fontaine, narrating the story as a pop-picking radio DJ.

Aside from this new character and new songs Cellular Fusions and Counting On You, the stage adaptation of High School Musical closely follows the much-loved story of the movie.

Ashley Day wins audience

Ashley Day, who plays spunky jock Troy Bolton, won over the hearts of the audience in a way much more immediate than Zac Efron in the film.

His singing voice, along with that of Lorna Want who plays Gabriella, came across note perfect and retained softer moments when they could have pushed their voices too far in the electrifying live atmosphere.

The sound of the audience's younger members singing along to every song put a cheesy smile on my face for the whole show, with many theatre-goers dressed-to-impress in HSM Cheerleader outfits and Wildcats' kit.

Superb leads

The four leads are superb.

Helen George and Lee Honey-Jones brought Sharpay and Ryan to the stage as the gruesome twosome you'd expect - although I think Sharpay was a tad more theatrical in this production than the cool, catty Sharpay of the celluloid hit. 

Special mention too for Claire Machin who makes Ms Darbus a deliciously full character, also the anchor of the storyline pushing Troy and Gabriella to pursue their dreams.

Ashley Day as Troy Bolton

The best scene for me was in the school gym where the beat of the basketball provides the baseline for Get'cha Head In The Game.

The slick set changes and Troy and his team mates bursting through what look like lockers add to the excitement, building yet further when basketballs drop from the sky to bang on the beat.

Performed to a great live band, Disney's High School Musical is an irresistible force that has landed firmly in Norwich - lapped up by a loud and appreciative crowd.

High School Musical runs until Saturday, 16 February, 2008 at the Norwich Theatre Royal.

This national UK tour continues until the end of the year.