McFly’s Harry Judd is swapping his drumsticks for a basketball as Coach Bolton in a new stage production of High School Musical. The 40-year-old musician will take on the role in the stage adaptation of the beloved Disney film that starred Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, marking 20 years since the movie’s release.
Judd on taking centre stage
Judd, who usually plays the drums at the back during McFly concerts, joked about the change of position. “I finally get to be up front. They keep me at the back on the drums,” he told the Press Association.
He admitted the role brings nerves: “It’s quite scary. You have that imposter syndrome. But the older you get, you realise everyone has that.” He added: “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.”
Judd offered advice for young people: “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.”
He added: “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 described being asked to join as a “pretty easy yes” and said seeing how excited his daughter was to hear the news was “very touching”.
Original cast member returns
KayCee Stroh, who played student and passionate dancer Martha Cox in the 2006 film, will instead portray drama teacher Ms Darbus in the production.
Stroh said of joining the cast: “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?’”
She added: “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.”
New cast and venues
The original film followed basketball superstar Troy Bolton (Efron) as he discovered a shared passion for singing with shy academic Gabriella Montez (Hudgens). The pair go on to snag the lead roles in the school musical and inspire classmates to break the “status quo”. The American film became a cultural phenomenon and also starred Ashley Tisdale as Sharpay Evans and Lucas Grabeel as her twin brother Ryan.
The upcoming production stars Tobias Turley as Troy, Leonor Correia as Gabriella, Caitlin Tipping as Sharpay and Luke Bayer as Ryan. Known for songs including “Breaking Free”, “We’re All In This Together” and “Get’cha Head In The Game”, High School Musical made its world premiere onstage in New York in 2006. Its global success led to multiple sequels and spin-offs, along with the TV series 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 22 to September 19, with Neighbours actor Jason Donovan as Coach Bolton. It will then transfer to Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre from October 12 to January 3, where Judd will portray the East High Wildcats coach.
