McFly’s Harry Judd swaps drums for basketballs in High School Musical production
By Lauren Del Fabbro, Press Association Entertainment Reporter
McFly’s Harry Judd has said he will “finally” be up at the front of the stage as he ditches the drumsticks for a basketball in a new stage production of High School Musical.
The 40-year-old musician will step into the shoes of Coach Bolton in a stage adaptation of the beloved Disney film, which starred Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, marking the 20th anniversary since the film was released.
The original 2006 film followed basketball superstar Troy Bolton (Efron) as he discovered his shared passion for singing with shy academic Gabriella Montez (Hudgens) as the pair go on to snag the lead roles in their school musical and inspire their classmates to break the “status quo”.
Speaking to the Press Association about the difference performing at a concert compared to a theatre production, Judd joked: “I finally get to be up front. They keep me at the back on the drums.”
He added: “It’s quite scary. You have that imposter syndrome. But the older you get, you realise everyone has that.
“Coming into this, I’ve really just thrown myself into it. I think we waste so much time worrying about what others think and, unfortunately, that’s just the nature of being a human.
“But if there’s one bit of advice I could give to to young people, it’s really the power of not caring what people think. It’s a real strength.
“High School Musical touches on topics where that happens. Troy wanted to be doing the musicals and his dad disapproving, but being yourself, not caring what others think, that’s a strong message from the film.”
Judd also said it was a “pretty easy yes” when he was asked to join and that it was “very touching” to see how excited his daughter was to hear the news.
The production will also star KayCee Stroh, who played student and passionate dancer Martha Cox in the original film, and will instead portray drama teacher Ms Darbus.
Speaking about her decision to join the cast, she said: “The stage has always been calling me since I was a kid, and I thought, ‘why not do this and this be my love letter to the Wildcat fans?’
“They have been so loyal to us for 20 years and this is something that I could give them back.
“Martha was very unapologetically herself and I like that Darbus also is that, but she champions the idea of that message through being a teacher and, like, helping the kids do it.”
The American film became a cultural phenomenon and also starred Ashley Tisdale as the jealous drama queen Sharpay Evans and Lucas Grabeel as her twin brother Ryan.
The production will also star actors Tobias Turley, Leonor Correia, Caitlin Tipping and Luke Bayer, who play Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay and Ryan, respectively.
The hit musical, known for songs including Breaking Free, We’re All In This Together and Get’cha Head In The Game, made its world premiere onstage in New York in 2006.
Its global success led to multiple sequels and spin-offs, along with a TV series titled High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, which rocketed pop star Olivia Rodrigo to fame.
The immersive production opens at Lowry in Salford for a limited run, from August 22nd until September 19th, starring Neighbours actor Jason Donovan as Coach Bolton.
It will then be transferred to the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre from October 12th until January 3rd, where Judd will portray the East High Wildcats coach.
