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FEATURE: Get'cha Head in the Game: Inside East High's Revival (Videos and Interviews)
- Harry Brogan
- 44 minutes ago
- 7 min read
AD | Gifted press event.
20 years after the first film, the hit Disney Channel Original film musical is back! Back bigger, better and even more fun than ever. Our writer Eliza got the chance to step into East High (the rehearsal room) halfway through their rehearsals which is only 10 days in! to get an exclusive look at the new UK revival of the stage production of High School Musical, and we even got to the chance to talk to some of students and teachers (cast members)...So Get'cha Head in the Game and read about our inside look into HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL!
Originally premiered at Stagedoor Manor Summer Theatre Camp in 2006, then back in 2008 having its UK premiere, High School Musical revives at The Lowry, in Salford before transferring to London's Troubadour Wembley Park.
This 2000s hit has success not just across the pond but also here in the UK, Disney first staged the shows first professional production in Atlanta, Georgia to then going onto tour nationally
Now its 2026, 20 years after HSM first premiered on The Disney Channel, East High comes to Salford at The Lowry, and we got the chance to talk co-directors Joseph Houston & William Whelton, non other than East High's Sharpay and Ryan Evans (Caitlin Tipping and Luke Bayer) and Coach Bolton (Harry Judd), about this exciting new stage revival and got the opportunity to film some short footage of the performances.
Opening up the press event William and Joseph presented a greeting speech explaining their process of getting HSM back on stage and explaining their vision for this production. Joseph Houston said that: "We wanted to be able to take the show and breathe new life and energy into it using 2026 technology" Joseph added the show will bring a "Visual experience" surrounding the audience resulting in an "Epically visual movie like experience", while also hinting of some live camera moments too. William Whelton said that: "as soon as the audience steps into the theatre they are transported to the East High Basket ball court" William explained that audiences will be "amazed" on what the set can do. Joseph said that: "this is a story about finding your passion, loving your true authentic self and embracing people regardless who they are or what they look like", Joseph also added: "it's about not sticking to the Status Quo". They laughed and smiled and joked about potential huge basketballs flying in the audience and gave the warmest of welcomes to the presentation event.
This new revival of the show transforms both venues into the world of East High, with on stage court side seating, to an extended stage. In an interview with HarryTheatreLife they explained how they are tackling each space. Co-Director William Whelton said that: "The Lowry is very much a traditional type theatre but will still have on court side seats at The Lowry, but we are actually able to have more on stage court side seats at Wembley as it feels more like a Basketball court kind of venue". While set wise will be very similar, apart from more on stage seating is included the show in London. One key difference will be that there are two Coach Bolton’s with Aussie star Jason Donovan taking the role in Salford and McFly's Harry Judd stepping into the role in London.
With the moving of times, Joseph Houston explained to us how the show tackles the outdated references and phrases, Joseph said that: "we actually do have a very updated brand new script" which actually Disney had approached the co-directors first. Joseph said that "we wanted to feel like people are stepping into the 2000s". Joseph emphasised and agreed how times, phrases have changed since the original and this production has "A brand new script" said Joseph, with explaining original book writer David Simpatico, has rewrote and taken out references that are not relevant today. Joseph said that "not only is this an original production it is the first time this script has been staged so even more special"
We also asked the pair on what was behind their choice in staging High School Musical. William explained how they both "fell in love with the film the first time around" (like the rest of us) and when rewatching the film again a few years ago they felt it had " just come out, it was very ahead of its time" adding that "We just felt the world needs some High School Musical". Joseph also emphasised in the opening speech on how High School Musical is about embracing people and not sticking to the status quo and said that there are so many "universal messages" relevant today and said that "I hope it inspires people and hope it inspires people to reconnect with that inner child within them"
As a whole new generation about to experience the hit, we asked William and Joseph how they feel in bringing back to the stage for the generation of fans and theatre goers alike. Joseph said that "We carry the weight of that" Joseph added "You can’t aspire to be or do anything if you can’t see it" both screen or on stage. Joseph reiterated the topic of inspiration for the next generation, and said that "People say it was our generation's Grease and we want to bring it back and go look at this legacy Grease has made."
William added about his 3 year old niece and seeing her singing one of the films/shows well known hits "Get'cha Head in the Game", William said that it was: "a really special moment" explaining that it's just the start of her theatre journey and she is already wanting to be a cheerleader on stage.
For fans of the film, Joseph said that: "There are so many nods to the movie" Both stated a whole new character is involved, Joseph added that there is "so many differences but all inspired by the original movie. Everyone involved has done like a love letter on stage and to the movie."
The pair wrapped up our interview and said that that the show is "Energetic, Joyful and Inspirational"
Here is a small clip from the press event - Start of Something New click to watch:
We can't talk about High School Musical with talking about the iconic duo Ryan and Sharpay Evans played by the talented Luke Bayer and Caitlin Tipping, we was lucky enough to be able to speak to them both at the press event.
We asked both how it feels to play their roles in HSM, plus with Caitlin also previously playing another Disney character of Elsa in the London Production of Frozen.
Luke said that: "I was born to play this role, people have said you have to play this role and I’m very grateful to be here and playing this iconic role and to be able to add it to my CV, so I’m thrilled". Caitlin said that: "I love getting to tell these Disney stories" with then explaining the love seeing the love from families, friends and kids and sending them into "The World of Disney". Caitlin also added she is "very lucky" in playing this role and being able to tell these "well known world wide stories"
We also asked the pair on how they see each others characters, Luke says: "Sharpay is definitely misunderstood, she has big dreams and she has big goals and she just wants to achieve them." and added that "I think sometimes the way she goes about things manifest in the wrong way, but deep down she is a nice person," with rounding out saying Sharpay has big dreams and wants to make them a reality.
Caitlin said that Ryan is the "the more grounded of the two" adding that "Ryan can look at the bigger picture." The two characters are twins, Caitlin says the characters "complement each other" and Ryan can help his sister Sharpay "guide her through her craziness" in the most brotherly and kindest way.
Bringing the hit to the 2026 stage Caitlin says: "We are being given that leeway to play the characters how we want to put them across, so it is really fun everyone has been perfectly cast in this production" plus working with William and Joseph is "such a dream"
We spoke about how the choreography is already making waves with the Wildcats cheer being seen on TikTok already, Luke said: "I think Aaron has made a new version of it that is going to be just as iconic and people are going to want to be doing the choreography"
Luke says that this production is on a "different scale than High School Musical has been seen before" Caitlin gave the show the label of "the hottest ticket in town," (which we agree with)
Click below to see Caitlin and Luke perform What I've Been Looking For:
Lastly, but certainly not least making his theatrical debut McFly's Harry Judd takes on the role of Coach Bolton. From Wembley Arena to The Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, speaking with Harry, Harry says "it is very very different, I am used to being back of the stage on the drums but this time I will be up front doing some acting" with also saying its "a real privilege to be doing this"
Harry says High School Musical is loved 20 years on because he thinks that it "inspired a whole generation" with its subject matters for those who can relate with. Harry said that: "it is super nostalgic for people and is still relevant for young teenagers and young adults as it was 20 years ago" commenting on the shows escapism and its sing-along ability.
Harry told us his children's reactions with his his daughter being excited and wanting to visit the rehearsal room and see the show. Harry said that High School Musical is "Feel Good, Uplifting, Escapism"
Watch this clip of Get'cha Head in the Game:
The show also stars a talented cast with non other than the films original Martha Cox (Kaycee Stroh), stepping into the role of Ms Darbus. Bringing Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez on to the stage will be Tobias Turley and Leonor Correia. With Char Burnett as Taylor McKessie, Jordan Benjamin as Chad Danforth, Simeon Beckett as Zeke Baylor, Olivia O’Connor as Martha Cox, Yna Tresvalles as Kelsi Nielson and Curtis Patrick as Jack Scott.
The cast is completed by Alexander Black, Eleanor Bye, Harriet Caplan-Dean, Alison Driver, Conor Luke Drury, Mary Francis, Sonia Gil-Lubeiro, Tamsin January, Joseph Lennox, Lucas Morlotti, Katie Mulligan, Andre Phipps, Meg Silsby, Kade
Stenson, Ethan Vijn and Eddie Zickerman.
As we round-up this blog post, it's clear here that fans and theatre goers will be in for a treat! from exciting set design to a brand new script, it sure the 'Start of Something New' for the Disney franchise. So, in the words of Ms Darbus Let's make a Music-cal!
Watch the big Finale "We're All In This Together":
You can catch High School Musical at the Lowry (22 August 2026 – 19 September 2026) and Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre (12 October 2026 – 3 January 2027)
