You’ve seen both the films, heard the chart-topping CD and read the book. Now comes the theatrical adaptation of Disney’s global entertainment phenomenon. High School Musical, subtitled “Live On Stage!”, is touring Britain for the next nine months and more than 600,000 people are expected to see it.

Meanwhile, a second British production with an entirely different cast opens at the Hammersmith Apollo in London in June. And let’s not forget the ice show that combines the plots and music of HSM One and Two. Having recently completed a British tour, it will return next winter.

High School Musical is not just a feel-good musical; it’s a fully merchandised cultural juggernaut directed at youngsters in the tween-to-teen age bracket and their families. Playing like an updated cross between Grease and Hairspray, the live show is a slick, shiny and inescapably simplistic reworking of Romeo and Juliet.

Polarised school groups replace the Montagues and Capulets. On one side are the swots (girls only), and on the other are the jocks (boys). The latter are led by Troy, the basketball team captain (played by Ashley Day), while the former cluster round Gabriella (Lorna Want), a brainy but modest newcomer to East High.

Despite the social divide, these two sweet kids share a mutual attraction. In addition, they both sing well enough to pose a serious challenge to the conniving theatrical diva Sharpay (Helen George) and her vaguely camp fraternal sidekick Ryan (Lee Honey-Jones) for the lead roles in the school’s forthcoming musical.

Contrived and predictable? You bet, but High School Musical has forged an unshakeable bond with its target audience. And no wonder. East High is a fantasy school scrubbed clean of sex, drugs, bullying or any moral grey areas.

All problems are solved, and every speaking character (except, tellingly, the possibly gay Ryan) is paired up by the curtain. That includes the sole adults in this teen-centric universe, Troy’s stern coach dad (Mark Dickinson) and the flamboyantly dedicated female drama teacher (Claire Machin).

Jeff Calhoun’s production is an enormously efficient machine with all the resources of the Disney empire behind it. Credited to more than a dozen songwriters, the upbeat and anthemic score is undeniably toe-tapping, if derivative. A large cast puts over the ensemble numbers with irresistible pep.

The show is an oblique paean to the liberating power of theatre. It offers facile encouragement to youths wishing to rebel against cliquish conformity and be true to themselves. So what if it promotes stereotypes even as it advocates their subversion?

In Edinburgh, the opening night performance was greeted with joyous screams of recognition and approval from a crowd dominated by prepubescent girls. Such mass popularity will ensure that Disney’s shallow but diverting production is virtually critic-proof.

Box office: telephone 0870 6063424, until March 1. Then touring until December 1.
www.highschoolmusicalonstage.co.uk

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