Cringe is what you expect from High School Musical and cringe is certainly what we got. With a couple of dodgy America accents, questionably timed dance moves and (at times) rushed, inaudible dialogue, it was certainly not without its flaws.
However these are relatively minor quibbles with an overall energetic and entertaining performance that was a brilliant showcase for some of York Uni’s hidden talent. Jessi Black and Fraser Moyle brought life to Troy and Gabriella’s usually bland characters, their voices blending well on songs such as Breaking Free and Start of Something New. Jessi, in particular had a pitch perfect voice that rang clear through her ballad When There was Me and You, giving the musical a much needed breather from the fast paced action that loaded most of the other scenes.
These visually packed ensemble scenes that included songs such as Stick to the Status Quo were particularly well choreographed as the cast dynamically transformed the stage into the world of the Wildcats. Emily Hanbury and Tom Jones kept the comedy in full flow as Ryan and Sharpay pranced around the stage, while Will Booth took camp humour to a new level as his character Jack Scott gave regular innuendo filled announcements with matching actions.
Happily Ever After Soc certainly delivered their contagious enthusiasm; ensuring that even the most cynical of critics would be contentedly clapping along by the end.