Review: Disney’s High School Musical at Lowry*

[Ad-gifted] Twenty years after Disney’s High School Musical first had us all singing “We’re All In This Together” in our living rooms, the Wildcats are back and they have taken over Lowry in Salford Quays, in spectacular style.

Having attended the show yesterday, I can honestly say this is a seriously fun, high-energy trip back to East High that still feels fresh for a new generation. This brand-new stage production brings the nostalgia of the original Disney movie together with an immersive theatrical experience, complete with huge musical numbers, impressive choreography and plenty of opportunities for the audience to feel part of the action.

With Jason Donovan bringing star power as Coach Bolton and original High School Musical cast member KayCee Stroh returning to the franchise as Ms Darbus, there is plenty for longtime fans to get excited about too. Whether you grew up watching Troy and Gabriella fall in love or are discovering the Wildcats for the first time, this show proves that High School Musical still has plenty of game.

What we thought of High School Musical?

I attended the press night with my two teenage children, aged 16 and 13. Having watched the High School Musical movies on the Disney Channel during the school holidays, we were excited to see how the much-loved story would translate from screen to stage. As we took our seats at the Lowry, there was definitely a sense of anticipation…could this live production capture the same energy, nostalgia and magic of the original movies and bring the world of East High to life in front of our eyes? We were eager to find out..

The theatre was absolutely buzzing with chatter and anticipation, with plenty of toe-tapping before the action had even begun. The excitement quickly reached another level when the cheerleaders burst into action and taught the audience the Wildcat routine, which we could join in with from our seats. It was such a fun, interactive moment and the energy in the theatre was simply unreal!

What I loved most about this production was how it stayed true to the heart of the original movie while making East High feel completely new. The familiar characters, story and songs are all there, so fans of the original film and the wider High School Musical world will instantly recognise the moments they know and love.

Tobias Turley brings plenty of charm and confidence to Troy Bolton, capturing that pressure of being the popular basketball star while secretly wanting something more. He has the charisma needed for the role and of course, the vocals to take on those huge songs. Leonor Correia is lovely as Gabriella, bringing warmth and vulnerability to the character while still giving her a stronger presence of her own.

Together, the pair have a sweet chemistry that makes their story easy to root for, especially during those iconic musical moments. Their versions may not be exact copies of Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, but don’t worry, as they have made the roles their own while keeping the spirit of the original characters intact.

There is also some serious star presence on stage. Jason Donovan is instantly recognisable as Coach Bolton and brings plenty of authority, humour and charisma to Troy’s determined dad.  You could hear the crowd cheering soon as he was spotted on stage. Meanwhile, seeing KayCee Stroh back in the High School Musical universe feels like a real full-circle moment.

Fans will remember her as Martha Cox from the original movie cast, and now she takes on the wonderfully theatrical role of Ms Darbus with huge personality and energy. Again, the audience just went wild soon as she came on stage. I guess, having someone who was part of the original High School Musical phenomenon on stage adds an extra layer of nostalgia and excitement.

Caitlin Tipping and Luke Bayer were a fantastic pairing as Sharpay and Ryan Evans, bringing plenty of sass, sparkle and theatrical flair to the stage. Tipping perfectly captured Sharpay’s larger-than-life personality, delivering plenty of attitude and comedy, while Bayer was equally entertaining as Ryan, with the pair bouncing brilliantly off each other.

Their scenes were packed with energy and fabulous choreography. Curtis Patrick also deserves a special mention as Jack Scott, bringing a wonderfully light-hearted and fun presence to the show. His comic timing and playful moments added plenty of laughs and kept the audience smiling throughout.

The staging was a huge highlight for me. The Lyric Theatre was transformed into an interactive version of East High, with audience members seated on the stage, on both sides, creating a really immersive atmosphere. There were plenty of screens around so ensure that we had a good view of what was going on stage as the cast was everywhere and regularly passed through the audience.

Scene changes are impressively smooth too, keeping the show moving at a fast pace without losing any momentum. The Choreography by Aaron Renfree is packed with energy, the singing is powerful and the dance routine was just precise. It was also brilliant to see such a mixed audience from older fans reliving the movies they grew up with, alongside younger children discovering the story and loving every second. By the finale, it really did feel like everyone was all in this together.

Cast of High School Musical

Joseph Houston Co-Director
William Whelton Co-Director
Aaron Renfree Choreography
Andrew Exeter Set Designer
Matt Peploe Sound Designer
George Reeve Video Designer
Rory Beaton Lighting Designer
Sophia Pardon Costume Designer
Katy Richardson Musical Supervisor
Audra Cramer Musical Director
Pearson Casting CDA CDG CSA Casting Director
Angie Carradus Wigs, Hair & Wham Supervisor
Dominic Skinner Make-up Dersigner
Laura Rushton & Lisa Aitken Costume Supervisor

How much are the tickets to High School Musical and how long is the show?

Tickets are priced from £26 to £79. Orders subject to a £3.50 transaction fee.

How do I book tickets to watch High School Musical?

To book tickets please call The Lowry at 08432086000 or via their website here.

The show runs until Saturday, 19 September 2026 at 7pm and matinee shows will be shown at 2pm

• Audio Described by Caroline Burn | Saturday 5 September 2026 at 2.00pm. Touch Tour: 1.00pm.
• Audio Described by Caroline Burn | Thursday 10 September 2026 at 7.00pm. Touch Tour: 6.00pm
• BSL by Emma Jane Mansfield | Wednesday 9 September 2026 at 2.00pm and Saturday 12 September 2026 at 7.00pm.
• Captioned | Sunday 30th August 2026 at 2.00pm

Where will the performance be held?

Lowry
The Lyric Theatre
Pier 8
The Quays
Salford
M50 3AZ
Manchester
Tel: 0843208 6000

Notes:

• Lowry welcomes all visitors regardless of their disability and strives to meet all individuals needs where possible.
• They welcome assistance dogs.
• Lowry’s website is fully accessible and features BrowseAloud.  Browsealoud adds speech, reading and translation support, facilitating access and participation for those people who need support reading print, dyslexia, low literacy, mild visual impairments and those with English as a second language. To use this feature, simply click on the grey ear logo located in the footer.
• If you are driving to the show, we would recommend for you to park at Lowry Outlet which is opposite the theatre, but be aware as there is lack of signage from the car park area to the theatre, so best to ask someone or use google maps to find your way.

  Pre paid car parking tickets can be purchased up to 24 hours prior to your performance. Please note they are unable to sell pre paid tickets on your performance date, and you will need to pay at the ticket machines in the car park. The tickets can be booked at the same time as your seats via their website, or over the phone on freephone 0343 208 6000.

About Lowry

Lowry is a registered charity committed to using visual and performing arts to enrich people’s lives. They present audiences with a diverse programme of theatre, opera, musicals, dance, music, comedy and visual art as well as events and activities to expand the horizons of audiences and artists alike.  At the heart of their work is a commitment to the local communities and young people. Tapping into the work on their ur stages and in their galleries, they offer thousands of free creative participation opportunities each year. They are passionate about nurturing talent, developing creative professionals of the future and raising aspirations.

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Photo Credit: Lowry