SCHOOL may be out but the gang from East High are back putting the toothpaste smiles into the expression “good clean fun”.

This is what high school would be like if invented by Mary Whitehouse – lots of team spirit, a dedicated work ethic and a single, chaste kiss.

There’s nothing wrong with any of that of course, but it does mean the audience is mainly populated with children under the age of 10, rather than the teens featured in the script.

Those who have not seen the original need not worry – the show starts with a quick catch-up and besides, you quickly figure out who the cute central couple are and which ice blonde is their sworn nemesis.

The Wildcats basketball team and hangers-on have got themselves jobs at Lava Springs country club, which just happens to be owned by the father of self-centred prima donna Sharpay Evans (Lauren Hall).

Determined to undo the success of popular couple Troy Bolton (Liam Doyle) and the genuinely likeable Gabriella Montez (Nikki Mae), Sharpay, whose glass-smashing wail resembles that of Singin in the Rain’s Lina Lamont, plots to win both the country club talent show and Troy’s heart.

HSM2 opens with an assault of candy coloured costumes and high pitched harmonies – the world as seen by someone high on E numbers.

It’s almost a relief when Troy falls out with his friends and the music takes a darker, sadder tone in the second act.

Liverpool’s own Les Dennis, as Lava Spring’s general manager Mr Fulton, is the only adult in the piece and as a consequence has to work harder to match the other cast members’ youthful exuberance.

The happy ending medley leaves your senses buzzing again, but you have to admit that a world with HSM2 in is one that’s just that little bit cheerier.

LAURA DAVIS