“High School Musical” by Bright Lights Theatre Company
Loughborough Town Hall.

Based on the Disney Channel Original Movie High School Musical, Bright Lights Theatre Group start the weekend off with a high energy, fun musical which is just right for these young actors.

We have The Jocks, the Thespians, the Brainiacs and The Skateer Dudes. All the gang are here. Basketball team captain and resident jock,Troy, Brainy Gabriella, Sharpay, Ryan, Chad and all of the students from East High.

Troy, discovers that Gabriella, a girl he met singing karaoke on his ski trip, has just enrolled at East High. They cause a bit of an upset when they decide to audition for the high school musical that is being led by Ms. Darbus. Although many students resent the threat posed to the "status quo," Troy and Gabriella's union might just open the door for others to shine as well.

All three of the Loughborough Bright Lights Schools are involved in this production which gives a wide age range of kids, ensuring that "aaah" factor.

What a talented cast of kids who,even though they have had minimal time to get this show to the stage, they have done an incredible job. One that really lifted my spirits and put a smile on my face.

Let me highlight just a few......

The High School announcer, Jackie Scott was bursting with enthusiasm wither her announcments, and played with great zest by Ella Greatorex.

Troy was played by Zak Draper, and he has the making of a really good vocalist and has a wonderful air of confidence on stage.

Gabriella was delightfully played by Madison Clarridge and hers and Troy's pairing was completely believable.

Ellie-Marie Cadwallader plated the marvellously bossy Sharpay, a role I bet she really enjoyed!

Daniel Johnson played the suffering brother Ryan, forever being bossed about by elder sister, by eight minutes, Sharpay.

The jocks Chad and Zeke were played by Stefan Yoxon and Jake O Sullivan.

Kelsi, the other thespian who composes the songs for "Juliet & Romeo" in this play, is played by Isla Harriman.

The other Brainiacs, Taylor, Martha and Kratnoff are played by Sophie Wilson, Kate Lockwood and Charles Pugsley.

The skater dudes, Ripper and Mongo are played by Daniel Pedge and Ned Pritchard.

Ms Darbus, who is in charge of drama and dislikes the jocks and Coach Bolton is played with a real feel for the part by Felicity Ryan.

Coach Bolton, who also happens to be Troy's father, is played by Joshua MacAlistair.

A brilliant ensemble with some wonderful characters - i must say I loved the scene stealer who played a worm in the drama detention scene - he made me and everyone else giggle.

The two chart hits are featured in this musical “Breaking Free” and “We’re All In This Together” as well as other HSM favourites like “The Start Of Something New”, “Bop To The Top”, "Getcha Head In The Game" and "Stick To The Status Quo" among them.

Directed by Alexander Turner and Produced by Nick Sutcliffe and Patrick Croft with some incredible choreography by Sophie Kandola and Musical Direction by Kieran Buckeridge.

There are some stars of tomorrow in this show and I recommend you go and seek them out for yourself while you can. Bright Lights may have shone last night but so did all of the young actors on that stage. An absolute pick me up for the weekend.

“High School Musical” is at Loughborough Town hall until Sunday 24 June 2018