For a certain generation their’s is the greatest romance of all. Forget Romeo and Juliet, Burton and Taylor, Taylor and Travis ... it’s Troy and Gabriella who had everyone transfixed.
The responsibility of bringing the stars of High School Musical to life on stage at the Lowry every night as part of a reimagined version of the show is not lost on Tobias Turley and Leonor Correira.
“The original High School Musical films were such an important part of growing up for me,” said Leonor who last year made her professional debut in the hit show Six. “When they told me I was going to be Gabriella, I really didn’t know how to process it; it is such an iconic role, such an iconic show. But it’s also so exciting.”
“I vividly remember watching the third movie at the cinema with my family,” said Tobias. “I kind of grew up with these movies and these characters so the fact I actually get to be part of it now is a mixture of exciting and kind of scary.”
Tobias plays Troy, the star basketball player at East High, son of the coach and all-round sporting superstar. Gabriella is the slightly nerdy, serious student he meets at a New Year party and their eyes meet over a karaoke.
When Gabriella transfers to East High and they both audition for the school’s end of term musical, can love win the day? Can Troy shake off his ‘jock’ image and stand up to the demands of his father? Will Gabriella overcome being the ‘new girl’? What do you think!
The original High School Musical, released 20 years ago, made stars out of Zac Ephron and Vanessa Hudgens who played Troy and Gabriella.
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“What has been interesting for me is to see if people will be expecting me to do just what Zac Ephron did,” said Tobias. “I hope that’s not the case as I love having the freedom we have had with this production to try something different.
“Like Troy I was really sporty at school. I did play basketball although handball was my main sport. I have tried to bring my own experience of the sporting world and my own sense of cheekiness to the role, letting my own personality come through rather than trying to copy Zac Ephron.”
Leonor too is putting her own spin on to Gabriella.
“Because it is such a well known film it would be easy just to do it as they did in the movie,” she said. “But this is a new interpretation and that’s the most exciting thing about it. I’ve got this really cool role and yet I’m getting to put my own twist on it - that’s great fun.”
Considering that the original storyline is 20 years old, both the two young stars agree that it remains remarkably relevant to today’s theatre audiences.
“It’s so funny watching it as an adult,” said Leonor. “When you’re younger you don’t fully process how important that story is. There’s such a good message that it’s telling about staying true to yourself and it is so well written.”
“It’s a show full of heart and we have to convey that,” said Tobias.
In bringing High School Musical to the stage for the first time, directors Joseph Houston and William Whelton of Hope Mill Theatre, have transformed the Lowry into the basketball court at East High.
Large video screens, audience seating at the side of the stage and the performers heading out into the main auditorium make it a visually stunning and totally immersive show.
“It would be kind of hard not to have a smile on your face being involved in this show,” said Tobias.
So were our two stars anything like the characters they play when they were at school?
“I guess I was pretty much Troy,” grinned Tobias. “I was on all the sports teams and I started doing theatre stuff when I was about 10 or 11 and doing shows outside of school.
“I was friends with the sporty boys but kept the drama club stuff separate. I think only my two best friends knew I did any acting.”
Tobias had one memorable performance in a school play.
“It was the year 11 end of term show. We did Seussical the Musical and I play Genghis Khan Schmitz,” he said. “I broke my foot playing football about an hour before the show. The St John Ambulance turned up and wanted me to go to hospital but I went on with a walking stick.”
“At school I was pretty much as I am now, a bit loud and very chatty,” said Leonor, “so not really like Gabriella.
“What I find interesting is that at school you try and fit into a box that’s not really you - the message in the show of doing what you really want to do is something I can really relate to.”
High School Musical is at the Lowry, Salford, until Saturday, September 19. Details from www.thelowry.com
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