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Disney has sanctioned the theatrical version in the wake of the movie's international success.

A 31-date regional theatre tour opens today in Bromley, with one of the biggest advances in British touring history - £9 million.

Disney is now adding a 10-week season for the summer holidays at the Hammersmith Apollo.

Steve Fickinger, a Disney senior vice president, said: "It was the natural thing to bring it to London."

The company had planned a stage version even before the film was shown.

"It had heart, humour, pathos, something that kids would probably feel they could embrace," said Mr Fickinger.

The show tells the tale of Troy, a popular high school basketball star, and Gabriella, a shy and clever newcomer, who discover they share a secret passion for singing.

When they audition for the school musical it threatens the rigid social divide between sporty "jocks" and academic "brainiacs". But the pair resist peer pressure and inspire others to buck the status quo.

The first part of what will soon be a trilogy has been seen by more than 200 million people since it began on the Disney Channel two years ago. The DVD format topped the charts.

A 60-city theatre tour started in the US last year. "From the anecdotes there are many children coming to the theatre for the first time to see a spirited, entertaining and, hopefully, slightly moving experience," said Mr Fickinger.

Disney's theatrical licensing arm approves stage shows for schools and amateur groups as well as professional productions.

Mr Fickinger said: "The initial idea was it would be done in schools by kids - it's a story of kids experiencing life with each other. But as soon as it was written and put up in a workshop, we could see its charms translated to an older audience, including mothers and fathers who have had the questionable pleasure of seeing the film 300 times."