MCFLY’S
HARRY JUDD
TO STAR IN
LONDON TRANSFER OF
DISNEY’S HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL
OPENING AT
TROUBADOUR WEMBLEY PARK THEATRE
FROM 12 OCTOBER 2026
Hope Mill Theatre and Chris Harper Productions are delighted to announce that the highly anticipated first UK non-replica production of Disney’s HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL will transfer to London’sTroubadour Wembley Park Theatre. The London production will star McFly band member Harry Judd asCoach Bolton and will run from 12 October 2026 – 3 January 2027 with press night on 20 October 2026. It follows a summer season at Lowry, Salford from 22 August 2026 until Saturday 19 September 2026.
Priority Booking on sale 20 May
Tickets on general sale 22 May
Sign up for priority booking at www.HighSchoolMusicalOnStage.com
Juddwill take over from Jason Donovan** who will play Coach Bolton at Lowry, Salford.
Continuing with the show will be current cast members Tobias Turley, Leonor Correia, Caitlin Tipping, Luke Bayer andrecently announced Disney star KayCee Stroh as Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay, Ryan and Ms Darbus respectively.
Further casting to be revealed in due course.
Harry Judd is most widely known for being a member of the hugely successful band McFly. Spanning a 23-year career, McFly have had seven top 10 albums with 10-million albums sold worldwide and were the first band since The Beatles to be the youngest to achieve a number 1 debut album. In 2025, they completed a major UK arena tour alongside long-time rivals Busted.
In 2011 Harry won BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. He went on to star in dance show Rip It Up (Garrick Theatre) and appeared in The Christmasaurus Live for his band-member Tom Fletcher. After a successful run on The One Show presenting with Alex Jones, Harry is currently back in the presenting seat, co-hosting Magic Breakfast on Fridays with Harriet Scott. He recently reported live into BBC Sport whilst running the London Marathon and released hit mental health / fitness book Get Fit, Get Happy. In 2023 Harry and his mum Emma stole the nations hearts as they raced from Africa to the Arctic in BBC’s BAFTA-winning show Celebrity Race Across the World. Harry is also a patron of The Children’s Trust, the UK’s leading charity for children with brain injuries.
On joining the production Harry said “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining this incredible new production of High School Musical. It’s such an iconic film that meant so much to me growing up and now getting to share that same excitement with my own family— makes this even more special. As a dad, it’s been amazing to revisit this story through my children’s eyes and see just how timeless it really is—the music, the energy, the message about believing in yourself—it all still resonates so strongly across generations.
Stepping into the role of Coach Bolton and leading such a first-class cast in London at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre is something I’m incredibly proud of. I can’t wait to ‘Get My Head in the Game’ and bring this story to life on stage—sharing all the energy, heart and nostalgia of High School Musical with fans old and new.”
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the iconic film HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL has a book by David Simpatico with music adapted, arranged and produced by Bryan Louiselle and is co-directed by Hope Mill founders Joseph Houston and William Whelton. Featuring classic songs such as: Breaking Free, We’re All In This Together, Get’cha Head in the Game, Stick to the Status Quo and many more.
Based on the hit Disney Channel Original movie, that inspired a generation, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL had its world premiere production at Stagedoor Manor Summer Theatre Camp in 2006. It then went to The Theatre of Stars in Atlanta, Georgia for its first professional staging before Disney Theatrical Group staged a national tour in 2007. The musical has enjoyed significant success in regional theatres around the world and had its London premiere at the Hammersmith Apollo Theatre in January 2008.
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL will be co-directed by Joseph Houston & William Whelton with choreography by Aaron Renfree, set design by Andrew Exeter, sound design by Matt Peploe, video design by George Reeve,lighting design by Rory Beaton, costume design by Sophia Pardon, musical supervision by Katy Richardson, musical direction by Audra Cramer, casting by Pearson Casting and production management by Ammonite Studios. General management by Chris Harper Productions.
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL is produced by Hope Mill Theatre and Chris Harper Productions.
Website: HighSchoolMusicalOnStage.com
Instagram: @highschoolmusicalonstage
**Jason will performance at Lowry, Salford up until Friday 18 September
LISTINGS INFORMATION
SALFORD
22 August 2026 – 19 September 2026
Lowry
Pier 8, The Quays
Salford
M50 3AZ
Performances:
22 August – 6 September: Wednesday – Sunday 2pm & 7pm
Please note there will be an additional performance on Tuesday 25 August at 7pm. There will be no 7pm performance on Sunday 23 August and no 2pm performance on Friday 28 August.
8 – 19 September: Tuesday – Saturday 7pm, Saturday – Sunday 2pm
Please note there will be matinees on Wednesday 9 September & Thursday 17 September at 2pm
Tickets from: from £26
Box Office: 0161 876 2000
HighSchoolMusicalOnStage.com
LONDON
12 October 2026 – 3 January 2027
Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre
3 Fulton Road
Wembley Park
Wembley
HA9 0SP