McFly drummer Harry Judd is making his musical theatre debut as Coach Bolton in a new UK revival of Disney's High School Musical, with rehearsal photos released this week showing the cast at work.

The production is billed as the first non-replica UK staging of the show — meaning it uses an original design and staging rather than recreating a previous production's look (WhatsOnStage). It opens at The Lowry in Salford on 22 August 2026 before moving to London, where Judd takes on the Coach Bolton role. Jason Donovan covers the part for the Salford run (WhatsOnStage).

Among the cast is a direct link to the original films. KayCee Stroh, who played Martha Cox in the 2006 High School Musical movie, returns as drama teacher Ms Darbus. Stroh's involvement gives the revival a thread connecting it back to the Disney Channel phenomenon that started it all.

Tobias Turley and Leonor Correia lead the company as Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez, the basketball captain and the brainy new girl whose audition for the school musical sets the plot in motion. Caitlin Tipping plays Sharpay Evans, with Luke Bayer as her brother Ryan. Jordan Benjamin is Chad Danforth, Char Burnett plays Taylor McKessie, Simeon Beckett is Zeke Baylor, Olivia O'Connor plays Martha Cox, Yna Tresvalles is Kelsi Nielson and Curtis Patrick plays Jack Scott.

Rehearsal images published on 31 July across WhatsOnStage, BroadwayWorld and West End Theatre show Judd and Stroh alongside the ensemble in a rehearsal room in London (BroadwayWorld).

The stage version carries a book by David Simpatico, with music adapted, arranged and produced by Bryan Louiselle. It includes the songs that defined the franchise: 'Breaking Free', 'We're All In This Together', 'Get'cha Head in the Game' and 'Stick to the Status Quo'.

High School Musical has a long stage history. It first premiered in 2006 at Stagedoor Manor, a performing arts camp in New York state. The first professional production followed in Atlanta, with a US national tour in 2007. London saw the show for the first time at the Hammersmith Apollo in 2008.

This revival is co-directed by Joseph Houston and William Whelton, the pair behind Manchester's Hope Mill Theatre. The creative team includes choreography by Aaron Renfree, set design by Andrew Exeter, lighting by Rory Beaton, costumes by Sophia Pardon, sound by Matt Peploe, video by George Reeve, musical supervision by Katy Richardson and musical direction by Audra Cramer. Casting is by Pearson Casting.

The producers are Hope Mill Theatre and Chris Harper Productions in association with the Lowry, with co-producers Winkler and Smalberg. Chris Harper's production credits include the National Theatre's The Ocean at the End of the Lane; Hope Mill has built a reputation for reviving musicals with a fresh design approach rather than mounting copycat productions.

For anyone who grew up singing along to the soundtrack, the chance to see these songs performed live — with one of the original film cast in the room — is the hook that the rehearsal photos are already pointing toward.