Disney High School Musical On Stage

By David Simpatico, Bryan Louiselle and Peter Barsocchini. Directed by Rp Van Der Westhuizen. The Lakes Theatre, Mandurah Baptist College. WA. Mar 13-21, 2026

One of the first school musicals of 2026. Mandurah Baptist College’s High School Musical bursts with the joy of performing, a highly celebratory show that epitomizes the message of the musical that “We’re all in this together.

Very much a school community production, it features a student band, and a student technical crew, Max Stickman operating the very professional looking projections, Alex Fitzpatrick on Lighting and Olive Davy and Amara Hopkins on sound. Backstage, student Chloe Maddigan, Stage Manager, leads a student crew. Alumni feature in the lighting design by Rp van Der Westhuizen (teacher and alumni) and Mackenzie Jackson as well as in the cast, with three former students including Henry Hayes, nicely playing Chad Danforth.

Costumed representing a selection of teen cliques, the large and enthusiastic cast sing with gusto and perform the fun choreography of Renee Kruger and Megan Manning with energy.

Matilda Harris is sweet and likable as new girl Gabriella, nicely paired with Flynn Creelman, confident and suave as basketball captain Troy Bolton. Antagonist Sharpay is played with venom by Summer Morris, with Darian Peckover good fun as in-the-shadow twin brother Ryan (both of these young men’s fathers missed opening weekend busy with their own top-notch performances in Witness for the Prosecution across town).

Lexi Dean makes a lovely Taylor McKessie, Cadel Willcox is a charming lovelorn Zeke, Rachel Dow gets down as street dancer Martha, Indiana Dean makes a great Jacqui Scott, while Bella Featherstone embodies Kelsi well. Nash Doherty brings a great deal of bluster to Coach Bolton. Special mention to Lillian Branson, a very mature and funny Ms. Darbus, rivaling my favourite Ms. Darbus of all time, this production’s Assistant Director, Lisa McCormack. The ensemble maintains characters and their focus throughout.

This production shines throughout, not from perfectly executed harmonies or absolute dance precision, but because dozens of students are working together, and supporting each other to make great theatre while having fun - and that makes for fabulous viewing.

Kimberley Shaw