A MODERN favourite for Disney fans is coming to the stage in Bolton thanks to some of town’s talented youngsters.

Young actors from the BCMCS Youth Theatre will be stepping into the shoes of Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens for the song and dance extravaganza, High School Musical.

The smash hit originated as a Disney Channel Original Movie first screened in 2006 with a plot described by the author as a modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

Art mirrors life as the story follows a gang of teenagers vying for attention and a star role in a high school musical, but while the characters may be feuding, the Bolton cast have united the talents of both old and new members to bring the production to the stage - with its Friday night performance already sold out.

Director Matthew Gavin said: “It’s been a really enjoyable experience working on High School Musical as my first outing as a director.

“Just the other day at one of our production meetings I realised it was exactly 20 years since I started out in BCMCS Youth Theatre in 1997. I took my first role as a ‘Village Idiot’ aged 11, and now I’m at the helm and working alongside Kathryn Wilkinson, who used to keep me in check in those early years.

“Being a part of BCMCS Youth Theatre helped me to build my confidence and interest in theatre, which encouraged and eventually led to me being a drama teacher today.

“I’ve had a great time directing and seeing the cast develop and work together. With some experienced and some brand new members we’ve put together a great show. If you come to see it I hope you enjoy all the hard work from a great team both on and off stage!”

The story begins on the first day after the winter break at East High.

The Jocks, Brainiacs, Thespians and Skater Dudes find their cliques, recount their vacations and look forward to the New Year.

Basketball team captain and resident jock, Troy, discovers that the brainy Gabriella, a girl he met singing karaoke on his ski trip, has just enrolled at East High. They cause an upheaval when they decide to audition for the high school musical being led by Ms Darbus.

High school diva Sharpay Evans will do anything to sabotage the friendship between Troy and Gabriella and also to get a lead in the school musical, helped by her twin brother Ryan.

The audience are taken on a journey of song and dance as the teenagers twist plots and overcome adversities.

High School Musical will be performed at Walmsley Parish Hall Theatre, Egerton, from March 16 to 18, at 7.15 pm, with a Saturday matinee performance at 2.15 pm.

nTo purchase tickets, call the BCMCS Ticketline on 07958 459423 or visit www.bcmcs.co.uk.