Jason Donovan to star in High School Musical
- Alan Hulme
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Jason Donovan will star as Coach Bolton in Manchester Hope Mill Theatre's summer production of High School Musical, at Salford's Lowry from August 22-September 18 (though not the final night, September 19).
Jason needs little introduction: he started out on Australian TV in Neighbours and had a string of pop hits throughout the 1990s, which led to a career-defining role as Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoart, followed by a string of starring roles in musical theatre.
Jason said: "As a parent and as a musical fan, High School Musical was family entertainment at its best. I’m delighted to be joining this new, reimagined theatrical experience, 20 years after I first discovered the film."
The actor and singer joins previously-announced cast members Tobias Turley, Leonor Correia, Caitlin Tipping and Luke Bayer as Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay and Ryan respectively.
Tobias is best known for winning ITV’s Mamma Mia I Have A Dream, the televised search for Sky in Mamma Mia! in the West End.
Leonor made her professional debut in SIX The Musical in the West End last year.
Caitlin has previously starred in SIX The Musical and her other credits include Titanique and Frozen the Musical, while Luke currently plays Jack in Titanique in the West End and has appeared in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and the movie Wicked: For Good.
The Lowry's large Lyric Theatre will be reconfigured into an immersive basketball court for the show, with an extended stage with seating to bring audiences into the world of East High. The show features songs such as Breaking Free, We’re All In This Together, Get’cha Head in the Game and Stick to the Status Quo.
Based on the hit Disney original, the Lowry show will be co-directed by Hope Mill Theatre's founders, Joseph Houston and William Whelton. The production is expected to be extremely popular, having already been extended for an extra week to September 19.
:: Hope Mill Theatre has started the year in a way it no doubt hopes to continue: the theatre was named Fringe Theatre of the Year at the prestigious Stage Awards in January, and last week its hit production of Mel Brooks musical Young Frankenstein won "best studio production" at the What’s On Stage Awards.
More info and tickets here
