THE full cast is in place for the first British tour of Disney's High School Musical Live On Stage!, which opens this week in Bromley en route to a week's run at the Grand Opera House, York, in March.

The leading roles of Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez go to Ashley Day (On The Town and Mary Poppins) and Lorna Want (Les Miserables and Evita); ruling drama queen Sharpay and her faithful brother and sidekick Ryan will be played by Helen George and Lee Honey-Jones respectively; and the principal cast is completed by Carlton Connell as Chad, Hannah Levane as Taylor, Claire Machin, Mark Dickinson, Cathryn Davis, Jennifer Tanarez, Richard Vincent and Dominic Tribuzio.

Presented by Stage Entertainment in association with Disney Theatrical Productions, this new stage musical is based on the Disney Channel original movie and features a book by David Simpatico, adapted from Peter Barsocchini's movie script.

The score comprises all songs from the original chart-topping soundtrack, led by the British hit singles Breaking Free and We're All In This Together, plus two new numbers.

High School Musical is billed as a "contemporary musical comedy" about Troy, a popular high school basketball star, and Gabriella, a shy, academically gifted newcomer, who discover they share a secret passion for singing.

When they sign up to audition for the lead roles in the school musical, it threatens East High's established pecking order and sends their cliques into uproar.

In an attempt to maintain the status quo, the jocks and brainiacs, and even the drama-club regulars, are soon hatching crazy plans to separate the pair and keep them offstage.

However, by defying expectations and taking a chance on their dreams, and each other, Troy and Gabrielle inspire the other students to go public with some surprising hidden talents of their own.

The show is directed by Jeff Calhoun, whose credits include award-winning Broadway revivals of Grease and Big River, and he is joined in the creative team by choreographer Lisa Stevens, scenic designer Kenneth Foy, costume designer Wade Laboissonniere, lighting designer Ken Billington, sound designer Rick Clarke and music producer Bryan Louiselle.

Disney's High School Musical will be staged at the Grand Opera House, York, at 7pm on March 3 to 6; 5pm and 8pm, March 7; 2.30pm and 8pm, March 8.

Tickets cost £18.50 to £29.50, with concessions available, on 0870 606 3595.

In response to ticket demand, the tour is being extended to cover 28 venues following the addition of dates in Oxford, Canterbury, Northampton, Belfast, Crawley, Aberdeen, Plymouth, Cardiff and, last of all, Leeds, where the run will end at the Grand Theatre in a run from November 24 to December 6 (box office 0870 121 4901).