LATE in life, the by then sadly neglected composer and arranger Max Steiner, was asked by an interviewer what he thought of modern film scores. Steiner, arguably the most prolific, most famous and best composer of more than 300 film scores, including Gone with the Wind and King Kong, replied: “I never comment on things I don’t understand.” I

I confess to having the same feelings if asked to comment on the worthiness of American football, baseball or basketball. And to a much more limited extent this very American musical can be added to that list.

Giving absolutely no quarter to those who do not appreciate American culture and values, this show, which has already accumulated a host of fans, first as a 2004 straight comedy drama film, a 2017 stage musical, and a musical film in 2024, is as American as Mom’s apple pie.

It is played at a fierce pace and set in a Chicago high school suburb. The thick American accents at times make it difficult to follow all the quick fire dialogue, and the acerbic vocals, for the most part delivered at full volume by soloists and ensemble alike, take no prisoners.

However, if your ear is attuned to the dialogue and vocals – and the vast majority of the predominantly distaff-side audience clearly did – this high quality production, having grabbed your attention from the opening scene, will keep that tight hold on your emotions through to the final bows.

The story is a simple one – the highly intelligent 16 year-old Cady Heron (Emily Lane) returns to America after spending the last 12 years with her mother (Jennifer Ellison who is also splendid as Ms Norbury and Mrs George). She finds her advanced knowledge isolates her from fellow pupils and teachers.

Egged on by (Georgie Buckland’s) Janis Sarkisian, who has a personal score to settle with the leader of the class Queen Bees, Regina George (Vivian Panka), and her mischievous partner Damion Hubbard (Max Gill), Cady drops her good girl image and takes over the role of Queen Bee.

The machinations that incur before the real Cady remerges, Regina regains her place as high school Queen Bee, and Janis’s anger is appeased, are typical of the storylines to be found in many an American high school musical.

You cannot fault the commitment and determination to make the most of every line and lyric that come the way of this young, talented company, among whom Ben Oatley as the class lover-boy Aaron Samuels, Kiara Dario and Sophie Pourret as Regina’s satellites, the introverted Gretchen Wieners and Karen Smith, who suffers from a lack of self confidence, gave eye catching performances.

If you are tuned in to American culture, humour, sentimentality and brash vibrant vocal delivery this is your show, don’t miss it.

GRP