Theatre & Dance

High School Musical - UK tour 2008

Global phenomenon Disney's High School Musical is wowing audiences around the UK as the show transfers from TV to the stage for its first national tour.

Unleashed as an original Disney Channel movie in 2006, High School Musical can be thought of as a modern day Romeo and Juliet - whilst carrying echos of the '70s mega-movie Grease.

The plot

Basketball star and East High heart-throb Troy Bolton meets genius Gabriella Montez at a ski-lodge over the school Christmas break when they take part in a karaoke contest.

Fate sees them brought together a short while later at East High where their new friendship allows them to find the courage to follow their dreams and audition for the school musical - despite initial opposition from their friends.

It's a 'happily ever after' story, but it takes a roller-coaster of emotion, mixed loyalties and an understanding of the needs of others to get there - all set to an award-winning soundtrack.

Lorna Want and Ashley Day in Norwich

The tour

The UK tour stars Ashley Day as Troy Bolton, and Lorna Day as maths-whizz Gabriella Montez - roles made famous in the movie by Zac Efron and Vanessa Anne Hudgens.

Playing 20 venues in nine months, the show is enjoying a sell out tour.

In an extended interview for BBC Norfolk, Martin Barber asked Ashley and Lorna how it felt to be involved in High School Musical (HSM), one of the world's most popular shows.

LW: It's bizarre. Obviously we knew how big the film was, but I don't think we could have expected the reaction from the audiences with the show – they love it, they go crazy. It's incredible.

MB: Why did you want to be in HSM?

AD: I think for me knowing that kids would come to see the show and possibly that it was their first or second time in the theatre. Not coming to panto, I think that is different, but to come a see a musical and enjoy it – for me that's amazing.

I remember the first time that I'd come to the theatre and that I wanted to be an actor. I can remember how that feels and I hope they feel that.

LW: Definitely. That we're bringing an audience to the theatre who's never been before and also because it's so popular. It's great to be part of something that big.

MB: The show is really aspirational.

LW: There are great morals in it. Now you hear a lot of horrible things about schools and kids getting bullied and all of that stuff.

I think it's just nice to have a show that shows you can go to school, be clever, but you can have other activities and be who you want to be not – not to be pressured, to be a stereotype

MB: Did either of you face those kinds of pressures?

AD: There were times at primary school that I got bullied, but I was always like, 'I don't actually care' as I knew I loved it and it [acting] was what I was going to do.

People deal with things differently, but I think the moral that you can do whatever you want to do just comes across in the show and hopefully it will get driven into their [the audience's] heads.

LW: There's always pressure from the kids at school that didn't quite understand you could be good in the classroom and then singing in the school concert.

There's a lot of children, a lot of people, who would be afraid to do what they want to do. I think Gabriella is like that and I can relate to her.

I was almost a little bit afraid, when I was at school, to think, 'Can I do both,' and it took my mum and my friends to say, 'Yes you can'. I think the show helps kids to realise that, that you must just believe in yourself.

MB: One of the most visual numbers is Get'cha Head In The Game, where you're performing on the basketball court – how long did it take to get that scene right?

AD: We learnt the choreography and the whole number first, then I felt like I needed a coach to come in and teach me how to play basketball.

Ashley Day as Troy Bolton

So we had the number one junior player in England and his coach come in from the London United Basketball Club and they taught us. We had training for a week which was great and I was put through my paces – it was hard work!

MB: Do you have a favourite scene in the show?

LW: I love the duet Where There Was Me And You – which is when they have a bit of a misunderstanding - Gabriella thinks Troy doesn't care about her. That's my favourite part as you see different sides of their character.

AD: I think mine's the last scene, Breaking Free, when we kind of both take a leap and just go for it and sing in front of everyone. By the end of the show you're worked up and you get to do it. Everyone is waiting for that song as well.

MB: Do you find it off-putting when the audience is singing the show at you?

LW: Sometimes for me, yes – being completely honest. I'm not used to that. It's almost a bit like a pop concert.

It's brilliant and I'm so glad we're entertaining them, but sometimes you do have to shut the noise out and focus.

AD: The other day in Where There Was Me And You this little girl said, in a very quiet moment, 'I love you, Troy' and she kept on saying it. I really had to control but I felt 'Awh, do you,' it was really sweet.

Lorna Want as Gabriella Montez

MB: As we've said, the show is apsirational – what would you say to younger people who might be inspired to take up a life in show business after seeing the show?

LW: It can be glamorous, but you have to have so much dedication – that's the biggest bit of advice I can give. You have to give 100 per cent all the time.

You have to be really dedicated and if you're dedicated and it's what you want to do then I say go for it.

AD: It's a scary business, you never know if you're going to be in work and at the end of the day you've got to pay your bills.

But there is the glamorous side if you're really lucky. If you really, really want it just go and see if it happens.

High School Musical runs at the Norwich Theatre Royal until Saturday, 16 February, 2008. Only ticket returns are available.

The national tour runs until December 2008.