"High School Musical Jr"

Wilsthorpe School, Long Eaton.

Troy Bolton tells his Jock friends, Chad Danforth and Zeke Baylor, about meeting Gabriella Montez on New Year's Eve during winter vacation on a ski trip. Gabriella, who has just moved to Albuquerque, also tells her newfound Brainiac friends Taylor McKessie, Kelsi Nielsen and Martha Cox of her vacation. A little like when Danny told his friends about Sandy, and vice versa in "Grease". We also meet Sharpay and Ryan Evans, the two drama stars of the school. Sharpay is selfish, with an overblown ego, and Ryan follows her orders but tries to be friends with everyone.

Mrs. Darbus tells her class of the upcoming winter musical, "Juliet and Romeo", a new version of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet", written by Kelsi Nielsen, a shy East High student. The next day, thespians audition for the play as do Sharpay and Ryan. When the auditions have closed Tony and Gabriella sing the audition song the way that Kelsi had meant the song to be sung, as a ballad, and to their surprise are called back for a second audition. As you can imagine, Sharpay and Ryan are not happy about the rug being pulled from under them, so they hatch a plot to try and stop Tony and Gabriella from getting the lead roles of Juliet and Romeo.

Coach Bolton thinks that Gabriella is interfering with training for Troy, and that his head is not in the game and their respective groups also feel that the auditions will mess up both groups chance of success. Troy and Gabriella are being torn from all angles but do they listen to their friends or to their hearts?

So there are the Jocks, Troy Bolton, Chad Danforth and Zeke Baylor.

Troy is played by Joel Dawson, a young man who I've seen on stage many times now; here is another great role for Joel to play, and his voice really works well with these songs. His on stage relationship with Gabriella just sizzles and at the end of the show, at the final bows and speeches Joel was visibly emotional, and you could see what this role, and his time at this school meant to him. 

Chad was played by Drew Boswell, who I last saw at the Duchess Theatre as Michael, in Peter Pan, and Zeke is played by Harvey Jones. Zeke, has a bit of a crush on Sharpay, and also has a secret passion for baking. Not that secret though as Zeke bakes a cake for Sharpay which does not quite go to plan. At the end of the show though Zeke seems to be winning Sharpay over. Harvey is a really good dancer, and we get to see this on several occasions.

Then there are the Thespians, Sharpay Evans, Ryan Evans and Kelsi Neilson.

Sharpay, who is the President of the Drama Club is played by Neve Moorcroft, and this may just be the first time that I've seen this young woman on stage. What an impact she makes as the bossy, overbearing sister to Ryan Evans.

Ryan is played by Findlay Parker. Like Joel, I've seen Findlay in quite a few productions. I've seen him play many roles, most of them quite serious, but Findlay ramps up the camp, and possibly the most camp version of Ryan I have seen, and I've seen a few Ryans! Findlay throws everything he has into every role he plays, and he has a great voice. It's his facial physicality that brings this character to life, reminding me of Kenneth Williams in parts. It would be difficult for me to pick my standout actor in this production, but Findlay is in my top six.

Kelsi is played by Chloe Turton, a really confident young performer.

The Brainiacs are Gabriella Montez, Taylor McKessie and Martha Cox.

Gabriella is played by Sky Stacey, who I last saw in the pantomime "Snoring Beauty" at the Duchess Theatre. Sky has a lovely voice and is a lovely piece of casting, especially with the interaction with Troy. There is that natural chemistry between Troy and Gabriella, brought about by the lovely acting skills of both young actors.

Taylor, who is the President of the science club, is played by Emily Richardson. Taylor is Gabriella's best friend, and also one of the smartest girls in school, and Martha Cox, Gabriella's other bestie, is played by Holly-Ann. Martha also has a secret passion; for hip hop music. 

The Skaters are played by Olivia, Matilda, Aicha and Harley.

Jackie Scott is the East High news announcer, played by Livvi Hickling, who also appeared in "Snoring Beauty" of late.

The Adult characters are Ms Darbus, who is the head of the drama department, who has a dislike for the Jocks and Coach Bolton. Played by Roisin Parker, who was brilliant in a recent production of "Oklahoma Jr".

Coach Bolton, who is head of the basketball team, and also Troy's father, is played by Ors Gall. This is the first time that I've seen Ors but what an actor he is. There's a lot of frustration wrapped in with Coach Bolton, especially over Troy, and Ors really brings out that frustration, and then in contrast he brings the softer side of the father figure when he realises just what performing means to Troy. Like all of these young actors, Ors has great talent in this area.

Ms Tenny, the chemistry teacher is played by Emma Rumbelow and The Moderator is played by Freyja Chambers, who doubles up as Susan.

The other students in this musical are played by  Laheiba Ditta, Jude Wilkinson, Libby ShawEvie Taylor, Avaani Babra and Scarlett Atkins.

The Cheerleaders were played by Katie, Connie, Harriet, Amelia, Molly, Avaani, Yasmin, Sophie, Kiera and Phoebe. Such an energetic troupe these were.

The Jocks were played by Ted, Megan, James, Matilda, Eleanor, Honey, Susie, Finn, Chris, Lily, Koko, Annabel, Febe, Ben and Grace.

The Thespians were played by Florence, Evie, Elsie, Harry, Megan, Alyssa, Keila, Emma, Sophia, Scarlett, Amelia and Nikola.

The Brainiacs were played by Emily, Tom, Maya, Tayha, Heather, Caitlin, Alice, Bethany, Alex, Sophie B, Owen, Neeruga, Gracie, Sophie H, Tayler and Leah.

The Musicians were Jasmine, Isobel, Caydee-Mae and Alyssa-Mae.

Anyone who knows the soundtrack will know that there are some very catchy songs here; "We're All In This Together", "Start Of Something New", "Breaking Free", "Head In The Game" and "Stick To The Status Quo" among them, all performed with energy and enthusiasm.

The creative team behind this production were Miss S Beara, Mr P London and Mr D Page.

Lighting and Sound were by Mr London and Mr Page.

You can see that this is a BIG production with a BIG cast, but at no time did the stage look in any way crowded; this due excellent Direction and Choreography.

Now, when I were a lad, we didn't have anything like this, and boy, I wish I had. The school has a wonderful theatre and an excellent lighting rig and sound system, and you can see that, with facilities like this in school, young actors are only too willing to sign up for drama. Twinned with the fact that the teachers invest so much of their time to bring brilliant shows like this to life. 

This dedicated cast proved that they all had their head in the game and that they all enjoyed what they had presented these last few days, and that they all now deserve a restful weekend.

Tonight was the final performance of "High School Musical Jr" at Wilsthorpe School, but has had a short but very successful four day run.