By TONY CRONIN
HIGH School Musical – currently showing at the Players Theatre – is a feel-good show about young people’s dreams and aspirations.
The non-stop action is put on hold at times for some lively comedy and for the occasional intimate moment.
As the show unfolds, it seems to get better and better.
If the cheering and extended applause on Saturday night is anything to go by, then this musical is in for a very successful season.
High School Musical is directed by Hamish Keddie and opening night was Friday last week. Hamish is no stranger to stage productions having directed nine shows since 2006. This is his second musical.
Hamish cast his auditioning net wide to include all the high schools in Port Macquarie and as far away as Camden Haven High School, Wauchope High School and even Melville High School. The best of the best have auditioned for their parts. There are also three experienced adult actors and some recent high school graduates in the line-up.
From the lively opening scene this show is energetic, musically satisfying and very funny. It is set in the imaginary high school called East High with its bitter rivalries, petty jealousies and unbridled ambitions. And that’s just the teachers!
The students divide themselves into cliques – the brainy, the sporting and the cultured – but some find they fit into more than one group.
Tensions emerge when new student Gabriella Montez arrives and finds herself attracted to Troy Bolton, the best basketball player on the school team. Gabriella is a genius at maths while Troy’s mum has ambitions to have Troy lead the basketball team to glory. Troy’s mum just happens to be the team coach.
Both Troy and Gabriella can sing which brings them both to the attention of the drama teacher, Ms Darbus, who co-incidentally is producing a school musical.
Meanwhile, the catty Sharpey Evans thinks she should have the lead role in the musical and wants Troy all to herself. She takes an instant dislike to Gabriella.
Jack Titterington and Sarah Carroll are suave in the lead roles of Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez. The chemistry between the couple is electrifying and both project the growing and loving relationship between their characters convincingly.
The cheering and prolonged applause they received from Saturday night’s audience is a testament to how well they performed.
Vickii Byram has made multiple appearances on TV and in the theatre. Vickii plays the formidable coach Bolton as domineering and assertive but who is hiding her own personal disappointment as a sportsperson.
She clashes with Ms Darbus the drama teacher, played exquisitely by Kirsten Keddie. With over 30 years’ experience in theatre, Kirsten makes the bossy Ms Darbus quite a menacing rival for the coach.
Both Vickii and Kirsten bring a refreshing depth of professionalism to the show.
A pivotal character in the story is Sharpey Evans who is played by Bianca Power. Sharpey is the baddie and Bianca portrays her unattractive qualities to the max. Bianca is a powerhouse on stage and dominates every scene she appears in with great style.
Daniel Parlevliet plays the part of Sharpey’s twin brother, Ryan Evans. While not as nasty a character as his sister Sharpey, Ryan is equally ambitious. Daniel, who has been involved in the Players Theatre for the past 10 years, plays the much younger stage character convincingly.
It would be unfair not to mention the excellent performances of so many others. Among them are Angelica Familar, Casey Henderson, Harley Lindley, Emily Holley and Phebe Lockhart. All are outstanding and they portray each of their characters with skill and enthusiasm.
Technically this production is near perfect. The music, choreography and lighting are fabulous. Musical director Simone Berry on piano co-ordinates some fine musicians in Tim Parry on guitar, Mariah Murphy on drums, with other musicians Lachlan Fardy, Isaac Bruggemann and Lindsay Kaul assisting. With so many excellent songs in this show the quality of the music deserved to be so outstanding.
Claire Michell develops some great dance moves with imaginative and tricky movement patterns for so many actors on stage at one time. The chorus ends up being positioned in the theatre aisles on two occasions. The continuous action is choreographed spectacularly.
Sam Wylie’s lighting design is very professional. Sam, with John Hansen at the controls, not only enhances the various moods but makes each scene sparkle and creates seamless transitions.
Director Hamish Keddie and all the participants on-stage and off-stage are to be commended for their outstanding commitment to this challenging theatrical experience. They can all be proud of what they have achieved. The show is wonderful.
If you want a terrific, toe-tapping, time at the theatre then go along to a show. High School Musical runs until 1 June. Book now at the Glasshouse or online at playerstheatre.org.au
