School Of Rock

For most groups a full scale musical will take months and months of rehearsing, costume making and scenery building before it is ready for an audience. Well for HC Vocal and Performance Academy this was cut down to just 8 days as their Summer Workshop brought us a full scale version of the classic School of Rock and I am amazed with how polished this show was with such a tight schedule.

Holly, Robert and their army of parent helpers worked magic with the children in this show, many of them HC regulars but a lot joined the company for their 1st show and they came together brilliantly to put on a blast of an evening.

The scenery delivered the perfect simple setting with minimal changes required as blocks and flats were rotated to move from classroom to Ned’s flat, from staff rooms to bars and finally the stage for the grand finale. Costumes were on cue with matching School uniforms, great rock outfits and some outrageous one-off pieces most notably carried off in serious style by young Seth Cohen.

To accommodate great talent within the ranks, the cast were split into 2 shows with all principal roles doubled up and it was great for me to see some new and familiar faces leading the cast.

School of Rock is predominantly set around Dewey Finn, an aging wannabe Rock Star who after being kicked out of his band and desperate for cash impersonates his flatmate to take on a teaching role in a prestigious school. This role is huge, barely leaving the stage for the whole show and was handled with ease by Chloe Craig who strutted her way from scene to scene like a seasoned Pro. Chloe had a lovely swagger about her, from her laid back walk, over excitable ranting, clever cheeky one-liners to great passionate rambles she captured every side of the character made famous by Jack Black in the movie. Her vocals had a rocky edge to them and she carried the pace of the show terrifically in every scene. Her on screen chemistry with the head of the School, Rosalie, played sensationally by Lucy Wilkinson was a joy to watch and you could really see the connection grow between the two of them within the story.

I have seen Lucy in a number of shows yet this was her best performance to date. She gave us such a controlled performance maintaining the stiff upper lip of the head and showing a lovely contrast as she found the fun side she has been keeping at bay. Her vocals were amazing demonstrating a lovely range, beautiful tone and she showed us how great a story teller she can be through song especially in Where did the Rock Go. Her version of this had the hairs on my arm standing up with every note. 

Holly and Robert, for such a short space of rehearsal time had the vocals mastered in every number in the show yet the singing wasn’t the only musical feat for the show. The cast were playing their own instruments too, many of them for the 1st ever time and playing alongside a great live band led brilliantly by Robert created a great soundtrack for the production.

As Dewey gets his feet under the desk (well more on the desk than under it) he chances an opportunity to create a band worthy of taking part in a local Battle of the Bands and after some quick casting finds his band:

Scarlett Hunter gave us Keyboard and a wonderful performance as Lawrence, managing a nerdy portrayal of this character, some lovely piano skills (even holding a plug in with her foot whilst hitting the notes) and showed off her acting skill with a great transformation of character as she let her guard down and let her fun side out. A lovely controlled performance, well done.

Another young actress demonstrating not only some lovely acting but great musical ability was Gabriella Boddy rocking it out as Freddie, the drummer in the band. Gabriella continues to grow in each show and her confidence shone through in this, her biggest role to date. With a beaming smile and lovely soft voice, her one-liners were epic and the drumming from a raised platform at the back of the stage was fabulous.

Louise Lelson shone as Zack, lead guitarist in the band. Some amazing electric guitar work was visibly on display here and she looked every inch the rock star strutting across the front of the stage finally getting the chance to shine when showing off the character’s own song - School of Rock. Also on guitar we had Olivia Mays on bass as Katie who gave us a really strong performance for such a young actress, just 9yrs old in a principal role, Wow! Although a smaller role in the band she gave us real edge with a bounce and swagger as she rocked the numbers out.

All good bands need great vocals and as the story develops we meet young Lexi Thompson playing the quiet, shy and unconfident Tomika. Although hiding in the background, an impromptu and beautiful acapella rendition of Amazing Grace lands her the role of lead singer and just like her character boy did she deserve her chance to shine. A slight microphone issue in Act Two meant we missed a bit of the vocals but every piece of what we did get was amazing, Lexi also showed off her acting skill as we watched her character’s transformation.

Also on vocals were the 2 backing singers, Marcy and Shonelle played by Lily Riley and Lyla Appleby. These 2 girls really brought the energy to the stage rocking out every number with great choreography and some strong vocals - simply infectious to watch. 

Behind the scenes you need a good crew and the band were managed by a very bossy and strict Summer played brilliantly by Zoe Hardy. Starting off as a know it all, teacher’s pet it was great to see the change as she took the opportunity to keep Dewey and the rest of the band in check. Opening Act Two with Time to Play she controlled the whole number, orchestrating the band and the production crew which included Seth Cohen as wardrobe and Freya Jones as stagehand. Seth doubled up in the show playing lead singer in Dewey’s original band, rocking out the opening number with a real bang and some excellent rock vocals.

In fact the vocals throughout the show were brilliant from the huge whole cast numbers to the Band members beautiful rendition of If Only You Would listen. Of course the huge hit numbers like Stick it to the Man were amazing, however I feel often overlooked numbers such as this, Where did the Rock Go and Here at Horace Green really gave the cast to show off what a tight musical group they are.

Of course we also had some adult roles in the show as well as the students. Alicia Thompson gave us a brilliant bossy and edgy Patti giving Dewey and her long suffering boyfriend Ned a torrid time. She didn’t just scare them into line but certainly made us sit up straight as well. Her interaction with Ned was wonderful with Avea Calvert as Ned running after her like a lost puppy, bowing to her every command and hiding his playful side. Weirdly it took Ned to finally stand up for himself and release his inner rock god for her to really take notice of him. Along with Dewey the 3 of them gave us some great comedy moments in the show.

Many of the older HC students played other staff members brilliantly recreating your typical down in the dumps staff room whilst the classroom scenes were full of other great performances from the younger members. I absolutely loved the Little Rocker from ages as young as 3 appearing in many of the larger scenes. They acted their little socks off and didn't look at all out of place or “token gesture” cast members as can be the case with very young performers. Definitely future HC stars in the making from some of the talent on display. Sorry I can’t mention you all but you were all terrific and made each scene a blast.

Overall Holly and Robert created a real showcase production here, utilising every inch of the Theatre with some great choreography (i loved the drumsticks routine and mission impossible style escape scene), excellent use of the stage (please don’t ever stand on those desks again though please) and produced a show that despite some very tired students zipped along at a great pace and with amazing energy and beaming smiles.

Thank you HC for a wonderful show, this was a huge challenge but one that was definitely worth taking. To quote Dewey “We may fall on our faces, but if we do, we will fall in dignity. Well, you most certainly didn’t fall and I can’t wait to see your next production, Sleeping Beauty.

 

Gordon Richardson (Saturday Cast)
Reading John’s comments on the potted synopsis and characterisations of the principals I cant really go on to add much else except that the number of scene changes were many and all accomplished by the cast themselves (along with a few adult helpers) lifting settee’s, beds and most importantly the multitude of school desks and chairs on a regular basis. By and large this was done silently and without fuss – well done.

Of the ‘band’ – apparently only three of the eight band members over two performances had ever played an instrument before from keyboards, guitars and drums yet their improvisation and actual playing (helped out by a wonderful rock band led by Robert the MD) was testament to their dedication to getting the show from page to stage in eight days.

‘Ned Schneebly’, the somewhat brow beaten boyfriend of ‘Patti Di Marco’ was played by Summer Johnstone with his dominating girlfriend played by Amber Evans. The power dynamic between the two throughout was excellent and comedic. I particularly enjoyed the change in dynamic at the very end when ‘Ned’ grew a backbone.

Finn Bartlett as the somewhat withdrawn ‘Lawrence’ excelled in his performance as the keyboard player not appreciated by his work driven father with fine acting skills.

Isobel Shepherd played drummer ‘Freddie’ – Isobel was one of the band players that had never touched the drums before rehearsals. It is difficult if not impossible to mimic some of the riffs played on a drum kit and she had learned enough in the week to impress with her skills.

Louise Lelson as guitar player ‘Zack’ played in both performances and I would echo what my colleague John said in his report – similarly for Olivia Mays the guitar playing ‘Katie’ who also played in both performances.

Backing singers ‘Marcy and Shonelle’ were played by Freya Thompson and Lily Riley on the Saturday performance with great harmony, enhanced by the diminutive Holly Neale playing the timid ‘Tomika’ whose vocals came to the fore in the plaintive musical number “If only they would Listen”.

Having seen this show a few times I admit my favourite character is ‘Summer’ – played by Martha Boyle – a feisty character not afraid to stand up for what she believes and not afraid to say it – Martha channelled these qualities into her acting.

Taking on the role of stage crew were ‘Billy and Sophie’ played with gusto by Izzy Wake and Francesca Lloyd.

An ensemble of Teachers, roadies, parents were played by Freddie Dale, Francesca Lloyd, Rose Shepherd, Alfie Appleby, Olivia Appleby, Esme Barker, and Sienna Murphy – each added to the spectacle of the piece.

The show revolves around ‘Dewey Finn’ and principal ‘Rosalie Mullins’ – performed on the Saturday by Jacob Robinson and Faith Small respectively. Jacob’s powerful voice and forthright demeanour suited him ideally for the roll as he bluffed his way through the rigors of the private school he had been falsely employed by. His confidence of the character shone though his own personal confidence alongside powerful vocals.
Faith as ‘principal’ was initially ‘stiff’ and ‘prim and proper’ but once she let her hair down encouraged by ‘Dewey’ there was a much more loveable character underneath. My favourite number in the show is performed by ‘Rosalie’ – Where did the Rock Go – and Faith performed it superbly (and also the operatic aria singing)

This was a brilliant achievement in eight days with the ‘Stick it to the Man’ finale of Act 1 perfectly sang and choreographed.

Well done all…

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