high school musical revival to transfer to london with harry judd as coach bolton

High School Musical revival to transfer to London with Harry Judd as Coach Bolton

ByCarla Oliver

Disney’s High School Musical is set to transfer to London’s Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre this autumn after a summer run in Salford. The production will feature Harry Judd in the role of Coach Bolton, marking the first UK non-replica staging of the musical.

High School Musical, presented by Hope Mill Theatre and Chris Harper Productions, will move from its initial run at the Lowry in Salford, which runs from 22 August to 19 September, to the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre from 12 October 2026 to 3 January 2027. A press night is scheduled for 20 October.

Harry Judd, known from the pop band McFly, joins the London cast as Coach Bolton, taking over from Jason Donovan who performs the role in Salford. The London transfer will also see Tobias Turley, Leonor Correia, Caitlin Tipping, and Luke Bayer reprise their roles as Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay, and Ryan respectively, with KayCee Stroh continuing as Ms Darbus. Additional casting details have yet to be announced.

The production features a book by David Simpatico and music adapted, arranged, and produced by Bryan Louiselle. The stage version includes familiar songs such as “Breaking Free,” “We’re All In This Together,” “Get’cha Head in the Game,” and “Stick to the Status Quo.”

Co-directed by Joseph Houston and William Whelton, the creative team includes choreographer Aaron Renfree, set designer Andrew Exeter, sound designer Matt Peploe, video designer George Reeve, lighting designer Rory Beaton, and costume designer Sophia Pardon. Musical supervision is by Katy Richardson with musical direction by Audra Cramer. Casting is managed by Pearson Casting and production management by Ammonite Studios.

High School Musical originally premiered on stage in 2006 at Stagedoor Manor, before a professional premiere in Atlanta and a US national tour in 2007. It had its London premiere at the Hammersmith Apollo in 2008, making this the first UK non-replica production of the show.

Harry Judd reflected on his involvement, saying the musical holds personal significance and remains timeless, highlighting its enduring message about self-belief that resonates across generations. He expressed pride in leading the London cast and enthusiasm for bringing the energy and nostalgia of the story to the stage.

Priority booking for the London run opens on 20 May, with general tickets available from 22 May.

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Carla Oliver

Clara is a London-based theatre writer who creates clear, practical West End guides. She helps readers compare shows, understand seating and timings, and save money on tickets. On MusicalsAndTickets, she focuses on family-friendly hits and long-running favourites, offering straightforward, research-based advice for booking with confidence.

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