High School Musical at the Lowry

In a radical re-staging of Disney's High School Musical, the 1,700 seat main auditorium at Salford's Lowry arts centre will next year be transformed into an immersive basketball court, with on-stage seating and an extended stage, bringing audiences into the world of East High.

Twenty years on from the movie, Manchester's Hope Mill Theatre and the Lowry will stage the first UK "non-replica" production of the much-loved hit show (August 21-September 13, 2026).

Based on the Disney Channel original, High School Musical had its world premiere at a US summer theatre camp in 2006. Its London premiere came in 2008 and it has since been around the world.

The score includes Breaking Free, We’re All In This Together, Get’cha Head in the Game, Stick to the Status Quo and more.

Hope Mill's producers and co-directors Joseph Houston and William Whelton said: “High School Musical is a show loved and adored across generations. It's our ambition to create a new stage production and bring together those generations to experience the live spectacle in a completely fresh way.

"Having recently created A Christmas Carol and Nine at the Lowry, it's the perfect space to bring this incredible show back to the stage and to Manchester."

Matthew Eames, who is co-head of theatres at the Lowry, said: “We're delighted to be working again with Hope Mill Theatre. High School Musical is a truly iconic show that launched the careers of some huge stars. We can’t wait for the East High Wildcats to come to Salford!”

More info and tickets here. Tickets on sale from July 18