High School mania hits Dubai

What is set to become Dubai's biggest homegrown production of the year – and probably one of the most popular locally produced shows of all-time – High School Musical, kicks off this Wednesday. And with news reaching fans of the hit movie franchise that the show only runs four days at the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre, tickets are selling out fast.

"The opening night is nearly gone, and tickets are selling well for the remainder of the shows," Lucy Blakeman, Popular Productions, told Emirates Business. "It's all incredibly exciting now, what with the day approaching, and we're all really looking forward to it."

Popular Productions is a theatre production company that was started by actress Blakeman and director John Payton. They have brought some of the most successful UK-based shows to Dubai, such as The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), Teechers and Stones in His Pockets.

Now the duo are back with the Disney story that has taken the tween market by storm, but this time, every single member of their 100-strong cast is based in the UAE.

Says Payton: "There are over 20 people who have come from the UK who are involved with stage sets, costumes and choreography, for example. However, we wanted to produce a show that featured talent from the UAE, because these children have huge potential, and we wanted to be able to provide a platform for them.

"They are the UAE's stars of the future. We can't just keep on bringing over international shows featuring casts from abroad. We need to start producing here."

But producing such an international phenomenon certainly isn't cheap. Payton revealed that this amateur production of High School Musical has cost an estimated Dh500,000. "It is hard work, and it is expensive to create something like High School Musical," adds Blakeman. "But at the end of the day, it needs to be a professional production that everyone will enjoy, so it is all worth it in the end."

This Dubai version, directed by Payton and choreographed by Drew Varley, is an amateur production by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Ltd on behalf of Music Theatre International of New York. Based on the original Disney film starring Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, it follows the story of schoolmates – popular basketball team captain Troy, and super-smart transfer student Gabriella – as they surf the tricky tides of peer pressure and canteen cliques to follow their dreams, and score the leads in the big school show as well as a place in each others hearts.

But they also have to deal with Sharpay, who happens to have a crush on Troy, and Sharpay's brother, Ryan, who's always by her side. Taking on the roles are Donovan Preston (Troy), Alexandra Dewar (Gabriella), Abbie Weatherley (Sharpay), and Matthew Melone (Ryan).

Taking some time out from rehearsals at DUCTAC, Abbie and Matthew talked to Emirates Business.

"I have loved acting since I was young, and I am doing a GCSE in drama so my teacher encouraged me to go for it," says Scottish-born Abbie, 15, who studies at Dubai British School. "The auditions were really nerve-wracking, but I'm proud I did it because I really wanted to play Sharpay. So it's been worth it."

Fifteen-year-old Matthew Melone, whose parents are from New Zealand and France, but has lived all his life in Dubai adds: "I really want to do the West End professionally in the future, so playing Ryan in this version of High School Musical is fantastic. It is a great experience, and I have learnt a lot."

Meanwhile, following this run of High School Musical, Blakeman and Payton have confirmed they will return next year with another stage hit with a UAE-based cast.

"We're hoping to go professional next year," says Blakeman. "At the end of these current shows, those who attend will have the opportunity to sign up for next year's auditions, so if you like what you see this week, please come and see us afterwards."


And the countdown starts now... Cable franchise goes Hollywood with theatrical release for threequel

It's hard to believe it has only been two-and-a-half years since High School Musical first aired on the Disney Channel and was seen by some nine million viewers. Since its release, the made-for-TV film has spawned a sequel (watched by nearly 17m) stage and ice shows, video games, toys, clothes, and well, you get the picture.

Now the cast is going Hollywood. High School Musical 3: Senior Year will be the first film in the franchise to hit the big screen. And with a budget of less than $15 million (Dh55m), it is reported that the film will become profitable approximately 47 seconds after it is released.

In this installment, high school seniors Troy and Gabriella face the prospect of separation as they head off to different colleges. Joined by the rest of the Wildcats, they stage an elaborate spring musical reflecting their experiences, hopes and fears about the future.

With new music and 10 exciting dance numbers designed to take maximum advantage of the big screen, this motion picture extravaganza promises to deliver plenty of high-energy entertainment from East High's talented ensemble. But don't expect this to be the last ever High School Musical movie.

Three young, yet-to-be-revealed sophomores make their debut in the film, and are expected to carry the franchise forward for years to come. Unfortunately, for Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale fans, this is the end of the road, as the now grown-up stars have made it clear it is time to move on.

High School Musical 3: Senior Year is set to hit US cinemas in October 3. A UAE release date is yet to be confirmed.