12:11pm Tuesday 9th February 2010
By Jayne Bennett
DISNEY proved its pulling power last night, as fans of the High School Musical series packed the Bristol Hippodrome for the much-anticipated stage version of the second film.
The storyline is exactly the same as the film and, as such, holds no surprises. Most of the Wildcats get summer jobs at an exclusive country club owned by the father of two of their classmates, Ryan and Sharpay.
While most of the gang are happy to work their way towards the end of the summer talent show, Sharpay is determined to lure Troy away from his girlfriend Gabriella and win the talent show and the boy – but, as always, team spirit gets in her way.
The young and energetic cast, including GMTV’s search for a Troy winner Liam Doyle, ran rings around veteran entertainer Les Dennis as Mr Fulton, who nonetheless still managed to keep the more mature members of the audience amused.
The live band made a terrific job of the very familiar score, but the set proved confusing for some of the audience – particularly those upstairs – as it played with perspective and left youngsters unable to relate to the on-stage action.
With an early start and early finish, we were able to watch the show in its entirety and still be up for school tomorrow, But the children’s verdict? The film was better.
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