High School Musical Grove Theatre Dunstable Review
High School Musical
Grove Theatre, Dunstable
Reviewed by Sandra McGhee
It was with great pleasure to review the above community show presented by Rare Productions, a Youth Theatre Group (formed in 2002), on behalf of What’s Good To Do. Rare Productions opened its thirteenth area, Dunstable in 2012 giving local children and students the chance to show their talent and perform locally.
Upon collecting my tickets from the box office we were given clear directions as to which door to enter to take our seats. The foyer was buzzing with lots of eager proud family members of all different generations looking excited to watch their children, brothers, sisters etc… performing from the age range of 8 upwards to around 17/18! This was the final night of 4 shows in total and what a wonderful evening was in store.
I purchased a programme at a very reasonable price of £3 which the outside cover was instantly recognisable with High School Musical logo and colourfully presented with the contents beautifully printed in black and white and covering a summary of the story based on the American Disney Channel of High School Musical, history of Rare Productions along with cast members, listing the songs and some great photos capturing the cast in their auditions who all looked very proud to be part of the production.
I took my two sons, 14 and 13, and 9 year old daughter who like myself had all seen the film previously when it first came to our screens several years ago. Upon taking our seats in the stalls F with great view I looked around the theatre which very quickly filled up and there was a great atmosphere and we were all glued to our seats for the entire show. A few words could easily some up what myself personally and my children thought of the show, it was wow, magnificent and such high good quality acting and dancing, we could of easily been sitting in the West End and not something I would expect at my local theatre of the high standard performed locally. It was obvious all cast members, including the main characters, dancers and other supporting cast had rehearsed superbly and worked incredibly hard in bringing this show together there were no flaws and certainly no nerves showing, everyone looked proud to be on the stage and part of the show. The mains were all absolutely brilliant and confident in acting, singing and really professional considering it was a community performance. The dancers were choreographed really well and a lot of effort was shown here. The performers were a real mixed bag, very entertaining the entire evening and all very believable in character and humorous too and all acted the story really well. The props and stage setting was more than adequate and costumes and music cleverly put together and the audience was non-stop clapping and was difficult not to sing along to some of the favourite songs.
The characters all played their parts and scenes really well and I was very impressed with the standard of how the story was acted out. A big pat on the back to each and every one who starred in the show. I would definitely recommend if you have the opportunity to watch a community performance produced by Rare Productions and wouldn’t hesitate on encouraging my children to audition for any future local shows.
Rating: 5/5 
For other productions at the Grove Theatre visit www.grovetheatre.co.uk
