Sixteen years ago, Rhianna Howard was one of the lead characters in Witham Operatic Workshop’s High School Musical.
This year she tackled it again, this time from the director’s chair.
With the help of choreographer Shelley Finn – also in the 2008 cast - she marshalled her forces with skill and precision to produce an evening full of vibrancy and colour.
One of the attractions this musical has for a set of young actors – all are under 21 – is that all but two of the characters are their own age.
So there was added poignancy to the romance between the ‘basketball guy’ and the ‘freaky math girl’ – and Kieran Wingrove (Troy) and Poppy Taylor (Gabriella) had some lovely moments together, notably in the tender I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.
Gabriella’s reserve and studiousness contrasted with the strident all-American drama queen Sharpay, which Rhianna Gregory milks for all its worth.
Hattie Phillips convinces as the short sharp disciplinarian teacher Ms Darbus, while Cleo Gunn shines as the quietly effective musician, and Jack McConnell neatly carries off the bemusement of the continuity announcer.
The show’s lengthy finale gives the director and choreographer the opportunity to give the whole cast centre stage as they as they gyrate, swing and sing.
One of the cast described it in the programme as exhausting and enjoyable.
Exhausting for them it may have been.
Enjoyable for the audience it certainly was.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here