FEATURE: HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL PRESS LAUNCH AT THE LOWRY – EXCLUSIVE SET REVEAL, CAST INSIGHTS AND MORE
- Sarah Monaghan
- 1 minute ago
- 8 min read
High School Musical Press Launch
Disney's High School Musical arrives at The Lowry this summer, and All About Theatre was invited to an exclusive press launch offering a first look at this exciting new production.
Held in The Lowry's Compass Room, the High School Musical Press Launch brought together the show's creative team and cast to reveal their vision for the UK premiere of the first ever non-replica production of Disney's High School Musical. During the launch, attendees were treated to exclusive set and costume reveals, live performances from Tobias Turley and Leonor Correia, who will play Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez, and interviews with co-directors Joseph Houston and William Whelton, alongside Jason Donovan, who takes on the role of Coach Bolton.
With an immersive new staging planned for The Lowry's Lyric Theatre, a fresh creative vision and a cast full of exciting talent, everything unveiled during the afternoon suggested this won't simply be a nostalgic return to East High. Instead, audiences can look forward to a bold new take on the much-loved Disney musical while celebrating everything fans have adored for the past 20 years.
Here's everything we learned at the exclusive launch.
Welcome Back to East High
Before heading into the Compass Room, guests were welcomed in The Lowry's Circle Bar with a selection of themed refreshments. A popcorn stand, candyfloss stand and slushie station were all available, with freshly made candyfloss, tubs of popcorn and bright red slushies helping to build the excitement before the presentation began. The red slushies, in particular, felt perfectly on theme for High School Musical.
Walking into the Compass Room, it was immediately clear how much thought had gone into the event. The room had been dressed in East High's signature red and white colours, with balloon centrepieces and large screens displaying artwork from the production ready for the afternoon's presentations.
Every place setting included an East High Year Book notebook, a mini basketball keyring and an East High drinks bottle for guests to take home, all adding to the East High experience from the moment everyone took their seats.
Around the room, guests could also explore three themed display areas before the presentation began. An East High locker display was filled with props inspired by the characters, Sharpay Evans' glamorous dressing table was packed with feather boas, jewellery and accessories, while a basketball arcade game gave everyone the chance to test their shooting skills. They all proved popular photo opportunities and helped build the excitement before the cast and creative team took to the stage.
The attention to detail throughout the room perfectly captured the fun, nostalgic spirit of High School Musical, making it the ideal setting to celebrate one of Disney's most-loved musicals before learning more about this exciting new production.
A Brand New Vision for High School Musical
The presentation began with a warm welcome from Matthew Eames, who introduced the afternoon before handing over to Michelle Eagleton to host the panel discussion with the cast and creative team.
One of the biggest talking points of the afternoon was just how different this production will be.
Rather than recreating previous stage versions, this is the UK premiere of Disney's first ever non-replica production of High School Musical, giving Hope Mill Theatre and Chris Harper Productions the opportunity to create an entirely new version of the much-loved musical while staying true to the heart of the original Disney Channel film.
Speaking about why now felt like the right time to bring High School Musical back to the stage, co-director Joseph Houston explained:
"The world right now needs High School Musical. It's a show that is so much love and joy. It's about being your true authentic self and not sticking to the status quo."
It's a message that sits at the heart of the story and one that still resonates twenty years after audiences first met Troy, Gabriella and the students of East High.
Co-director William Whelton added that while many people who grew up with the original film will be returning for a nostalgic trip back to East High, the production is also for a whole new generation who have discovered the films through Disney+, making now the perfect time to bring the musical back to the stage.
An Exclusive First Look at the Set
One of the biggest highlights of the afternoon was the exclusive reveal of Andrew Exeter's set design, giving everyone in the room a first look at how The Lowry's Lyric Theatre will be transformed into East High.
Projected onto the large presentation screen, the concept artwork revealed a bold new vision centred around a full-size basketball court, complete with the Wildcats logo, towering lockers, giant LED screens and digital scoreboards suspended above the action. The familiar red, white and black colour palette instantly captured the look of East High while giving the production its own distinctive identity.
Perhaps the most exciting reveal was how immersive this production will be for audiences. Around 100 theatre-goers will have the opportunity to sit on specially created courtside seats built directly onto the stage, placing them right in the heart of the action. The orchestra pit will also be removed and replaced with an extended runway stretching into the auditorium, allowing the cast to perform throughout the theatre and bringing audiences even closer to the story.
Explaining the thinking behind the design, William Whelton said:
"Our ambition from day dot has been to immerse our audiences in this world."
He continued:
"We wanted people to walk into The Lowry and be totally blown away."
Alongside the physical set, Tony Award-winning video designer George Reeve will use extensive LED technology throughout the production to further immerse audiences in the world of East High, adding another exciting element to this brand-new production.
Looking at the concept artwork, it's clear this isn't simply a recreation of previous productions. Instead, the creative team are using the freedom of a non-replica production to create something fresh, immersive and uniquely their own, while still celebrating everything audiences know and love about High School Musical.
Costumes Inspired by the Original Film
The exclusive previews didn't stop with the set design. Guests were also treated to a first look at the costume artwork, revealing how the creative team plan to honour the much-loved Disney film while giving this production its own unique identity.
Rather than updating the story to the present day, the team have embraced the unmistakable Y2K style that made the original film so memorable. Speaking during the presentation, Joseph Houston explained that audiences are returning to a world they already know and love, so it was important to keep that sense of nostalgia while creating something fresh for the stage.
The artwork revealed how each character has their own distinct look, with Gabriella's costumes reflecting her journey throughout the story, while Sharpay and Ryan's bold and coordinated outfits remain true to the larger-than-life personalities fans know so well.
The creative team have even designed their own bespoke Wildcats branding for the production, helping to create a version of High School Musical that feels both familiar and completely new.
Hearing from the Cast
The afternoon also gave guests the chance to hear from the talented cast who will be bringing East High to life this summer.
After taking to the stage for a panel discussion, Tobias Turley and Leonor Correia, who will play Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez, performed two of the musical's best-loved songs, Start of Something New and Breaking Free. Their performances offered a fantastic first glimpse of the chemistry audiences can expect when the show opens, and judging by the warm reaction in the room, they're already proving to be a perfect pairing.
Asked what High School Musical means to her, Leonor smiled before describing it in one word:
"Iconic."
She went on to explain that the films have been part of her life for as long as she can remember, making it both exciting and surreal to now be stepping into the role of Gabriella Montez.
Tobias revealed that he also grew up watching the films and spoke about what a dream it is to be playing Troy Bolton. He even shared how he posted a basketball-themed audition video on social media before landing the role, proving that sometimes a little creativity can go a long way.
Listening to both performers speak, it was clear just how much the roles mean to them, and their enthusiasm was matched by the warmth and energy they brought to their live performances.
Jason Donovan on Joining East High
Another highlight of the afternoon was hearing from Jason Donovan, who will play Coach Bolton.
A familiar face to musical theatre audiences, Donovan spoke warmly about why he wanted to be part of the production, explaining that his own children grew up watching High School Musical, making the opportunity particularly special for him.
"My children grew up on High School Musical... I love a great story, I love great songs. Disney... it's very uplifting."
Rather than portraying Coach Bolton as simply a strict basketball coach, Donovan explained that he's particularly interested in exploring the father-son relationship between Coach Bolton and Troy. He hopes audiences will see a caring father who genuinely wants the best for his son, adding another emotional layer to the story.
It was clear from his interview that he's just as excited to join the world of East High as audiences are to see him take to the stage.
A Familiar Face Returns to East High
One of the afternoon's loveliest moments came when it was revealed that KayCee Stroh, who famously played Martha Cox in the original High School Musical films, is returning to the franchise as Ms Darbus.
Although she wasn't able to attend the launch in person, guests watched a special recorded video message in which she spoke about how much the series has meant to her and how excited she is to be joining this brand-new production.
For fans of the original films, KayCee's involvement provides a lovely link between the much-loved film series and this brand-new stage production, bringing a familiar face back to East High in a whole new role.
A Summer Musical Event
From the creative team's passion for the project to the impressive set and costume reveals, everything unveiled during the launch suggested that this is far more than a nostalgic revival of a Disney favourite.
By creating the first ever non-replica production of High School Musical, the team have the opportunity to put their own stamp on the beloved story while keeping everything that has made it such a lasting success over the past two decades. With immersive staging, exciting new designs and a talented cast ready to step into the iconic roles, audiences can expect a fresh new take on East High when the Wildcats arrive at The Lowry this summer.
Whether you grew up watching the original Disney Channel films or are introducing them to a new generation, there's plenty to look forward to. From the exclusive preview we saw, this production looks set to celebrate everything fans love about High School Musical while creating an exciting new theatrical experience all of its own.
When and Where Can You See High School Musical?
Following its world premiere at The Lowry, Disney's High School Musical will then transfer to Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre in London.
The Lowry, Salford
22 August – 13 September 2026
Tickets are available from The Lowry website
Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London
12 October 2026 – 3 January 2027
Tickets are available from the official ticket website
For more information about the production, visit the official website
Watch Our High School Musical Press Launch Vlog
If you'd like to see even more from the launch, including the themed décor, exclusive set reveal, live performances and interviews with the cast and creative team, you can watch our full vlog and the live performances below.
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