Disney's High School Musical Gets Its First UK Stage Revival in Salford, With a London Transfer to Follow
Disney's High School Musical opens this weekend in Salford, the first UK stage revival of the show and its first-ever non-replica production — meaning a freshly designed staging rather than a copy of a previous one. The production runs at the Lowry's Lyric Theatre from 22 August to 19 September 2026 before transferring to Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre in London from 12 October 2026 to 3 January 2027. (WhatsOnStage)
The revival marks 20 years since the 2006 Disney Channel film became a global phenomenon, and the stage version follows the same story: Troy, Gabriella and the students of East High navigating basketball games, school auditions and first love. It is a co-production between Hope Mill Theatre — the independent Manchester company known for musical revivals — and The Lowry, presented with Chris Harper Productions. (WhatsOnStage; The Lowry, Facebook)
Tobias Turley plays Troy and Leonor Correia plays Gabriella. Caitlin Tipping is Sharpay, with Luke Bayer as her twin brother Ryan. The wider company includes 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 Nielsen and Curtis Patrick as Jack Scott. (WhatsOnStage)
Two familiar names carry the adult roles. KayCee Stroh, who appeared in the original 2006 film as Martha Cox, returns to the material as drama teacher Ms Darbus. Coach Bolton — Troy's father and the Wildcats' basketball coach — is played by Jason Donovan in Salford, then by Harry Judd, the McFly drummer, when the production moves to London. (WhatsOnStage; Troubadour Theatres)
For audiences who grew up with the soundtrack on repeat, the draw is straightforward: the songs and characters they remember, in a staging nobody has seen before on a British stage. The London run at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, a large flexible venue in north-west London, is scheduled through to 3 January 2027, with a press night set during the autumn run. (Troubadour Theatres)
Tickets and full casting details are available at highschoolmusicalonstage.com.
