High School Musical reveals lead cast for new production

Exclusive: The lead cast for the upcoming production of High School Musical has been revealed – live on stage at the 26th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards! Excitingly, the news was followed by the first-ever public performance from the new cast.

Produced by Hope Mill Theatre and Chris Harper Productions with Lowry, the first UK non-replica production of Disney’s High School Musical marks two decades since the film’s original release.

Featuring a book by David Simpatico and music adapted, arranged and produced by Bryan Louiselle, High School Musical will be co-directed by Hope Mill founders Joseph Houston and William Whelton.

Set to star are Tobias Turley as Troy, Leonor Correia as Gabriella, Caitlin Tipping as Sharpay and Luke Bayer as Ryan. Full casting is to be announced.

The piece will have choreography by Aaron Renfree, set design by Andrew Exeter, sound design by Matt Peploe, video design by George Reeve, lighting design by Rory Beaton, costume design by Sophia Pardon, musical supervision by Katy Richardson, musical direction by Audra Cramer, casting by Pearson Casting, and production management by Ammonite Studios. Chris Harper Productions is responsible for general management.

The production will run at the Lowry in Salford from 21 August to 13 September 2026, with the venue’s Lyric Theatre reconfigured for the production to create an immersive basketball court setting that includes on-stage seating and an extended playing area. It is set to feature songs from the original movie, including “Breaking Free”, “We’re All In This Together”, “Get’cha Head in the Game” and “Stick to the Status Quo”.

First performed in 2006 at Stagedoor Manor Summer Theatre Camp, High School Musical later received a professional staging at the Theatre of Stars in Atlanta and a US national tour by Disney Theatrical in 2007. It had its London debut at the Hammersmith Apollo in 2008 and has since been staged in various regional theatres worldwide.