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London Review
London ReviewHigh School Musical
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The chain is only as strong as its weakest link.— Coach Bolton
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The audience doesn't help. In an effort to show appreciation, the tweenies clap through the soft, musical ballads completely spoiling any romantic atmosphere. The high energy cast do best in the basketball scenes when their ball skills are to the fore.
The storyline groans as science and maths girl geek and "braniac" Gabriella Montez (Claire-Marie Hall) auditions for the school production of Romeo and Juliet with sports fanatic "jock" Troy Bolton (Mark Evans) and outs brother and sister act twins Sharpay Evans (Rebecca Faulkenberry) and Ryan Evans (Michael Pickering). At some point a scheduling hitch forces a choice between the drama event, the science quiz and a basketball match and the starry couple re-examine their priorities. Letitia Dean as the drama teacher, once seen in BBC television’s EastEnders, plays it up to pantomime levels— overly loud, overacted and over the top.
The Second Act is marginally better than the First. Fortunately I wasn’t sitting immediately behind one of the annoying, fluffy light sabres which were sold by the management so that the view could be completely ruined for those sitting behind them being waved around to the music. I loved the way this was permitted but anyone using a flash camera was immediately pounced upon by ushers. I haven’t seen the Disney Channel film but surely it's not as unprofessional as this show.
A colleague of mine had offered to take her eight year old niece to High School Musical. The niece declined. Why? Because they’re not the people in the film who will be on stage. Good choice!
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High School Musical
Original Movie Writer: Peter Barsocchini Book by David Simpatico Directed by Jeff Calhoun Starring: Mark Evans, Claire-Marie Hall, Rebecca Faulkenberry, Damian Winter-Higgins, Nadine Higgin, Letitia Dean, Norman Bowman With: Dylan Turner, Hollie Taylor, Ben Nicholas, Laurie Scarth, Gregor Stewart, Simon Hardwick, Nyroy Dixon, Matt Flint, Adam Bracegirdle, Paul Riddiford, Stevie Hitchinson, Matthew Russell-Jones, Lauren Varnham, Kirsty McDonald, Helen Morris, Stephanie Siadatan, Maxine Ewenson, Carly Mercedes Dyer, Samantha Tan, Hayley Griffths, Chris Milford, Carl Au, Karli Vale, Sarah Louise Warden. Scenic Design: Kenneth Foy Choreographer: Lisa Stevens Lighting: Ken Billington Sound: Duncan Robert Edwards Songwriters: Bryan Louiselle, Matthew Gerrard, Robbie Nevil, Greg Cham, Drew Seeley, Randy Petersen & Kevin Quinn, Adam Watts & Andy Dodd, David Lawrence, Faye Greenberg, Jamie Houston Music Producer: Bryan Louiselle Running time: Two hours 10 minutes with one interval Box Office: 08448472397 Booking to 31st August 2008 Reviewed by Lizzie Loveridge based on 8th July 2008 performance at The Hammersmith Apollo Queen Caroline street London W6 (Tube: Hammersmith) |
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