Stars sought for High School Musical

May 21 2007 By David Whetstone, The Journal

Youngsters in America love High School Musical. Now it's taking off here, as David Whetstone reports.

Young performers on Tyneside are being sought for Newcastle's first production of a stage show which took America by storm.

Many are the musicals which have opened with a fanfare and then died a death. The producers of High School Musical had virtually the opposite experience.

High School Musical began life as a TV film made on a modest budget for the Disney Channel. It was first shown in January last year.

"Since then they have shown it 13 times," says John Christopher. "It received such a phenomenal response that they then licensed the musical to be done on the stage in America."

In a short period of time thousands of schools and colleges across the United States have staged the show which seems to appeal to youngsters in a way that the original writers and producers can hardly have imagined it would.

The original Disney Channel film has itself spawned several spin-offs and sequels.

Both film and show feature two teenagers, Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez, who become friends in a karaoke session and then find themselves at the same school.

Deciding to indulge their mutual passion for music, they audition for and win the lead parts in the school musical, seriously annoying Sharpay Evans and her brother Ryan who have landed the lead roles for as long as anyone can remember.

John, who is head of drama at Biddick School Sports College, Washington, also runs the John Christopher Theatre School - for youngsters aged eight to 16 - and has been a leading man in amateur theatre shows for the past 12 years.

He was quick off the mark when the licence for amateur productions of High School Musical in the UK became available recently.

Now he is further congratulating himself because, since the professional licence has been given to a UK company, no more amateur licences will be granted. As a result, John is expecting a big response when he auditions for his production of High School Musical due to be staged at the People's Theatre, Newcastle, in March next year.

Rehearsals are already under way in South Shields for a John Christopher Theatre School production of High School Musical to be performed at the Customs House in January. The People's Theatre show will feature a different cast.

"I know there are an awful lot of talented kids in the North-East who will want to be in this show because it has been such a phenomenon," says John.

"I have done other shows, including Grease and a version of Chicago, but the youngsters really seem to love this one. It has some good leading roles but also a huge chorus."

Auditions for principals and chorus will take place at the People's Theatre, Heaton, Newcastle, on Saturday, June 2 from 11am to 2pm. Anyone interested must first get an application form from the Tourist Information Centre, Central Arcade, Newcastle.