School of Rock

For those living under a rock for many years, the story is based on a Jack Black movie from 2003 telling of a under motivated heavy rock musician, Dewey Finn, who ‘borrows’ the identity of his flatmate (and former heavy rock bandmate who has settled for a mundane teaching profession), in order to blag his way into a prestigious school to get money to pay his rent. In the school, run with strict precision by principal Miss Mullins, Finn encounters a class full of precocious straight A grade students’ intent of ending up at ivy league universities. All is not going well until Finn (posing as Mr Schneebly) finds his class has undoubted musical talents and enters them into a ‘battle of the bands’ rock event against the knowledge of their parents or the indomitable Miss Mullins.

Keeping very true to the original concept of the film, Dewey (Joe Coulson) is in trouble with his flatmates, friend ‘Ned Schneebly’ (Steven Fay) and Ned’s dominant, and less friendly, girlfriend ‘Patty De Marco’ (Kelsey Holder). The dominance of Patty over Ned was palpable. Stephen and Kelsey worked well together building up their on-stage dynamic and you just knew before the end of the show the worm was going to turn, and Ned’s latent heavy metal origin was going to be released.

Dewey is interviewed by ‘Rosalie Mullins’ (Frances Wood) who believes him to be substitute teacher Mr Schneebly and thrust straight away into teaching. The on-stage relationship between Rosalie and Dewey (thought of as Mr Schneebly) developed slowly as Dewey at first manipulates Miss Mullins and eventually realises that there is a ‘rock chick’ waiting to re-emerge.

Seventeen other adults took on roles of teachers, parents, policewomen, bartenders, band members of Finn’s former group and security guards each that contributed enormously to the flow of the story (Luke Carr, Michael Hall, Helen Leckey, Neil Hindson, Grayson Wood, Kirsty May, Jillaine Hindson, Emily Scott, Hannah Purvis, Sophie Huntley, Julie Wood, Ken Richardson, Helen Richardson, Colin Coulson, Margaret Gray, Jay Robson and Megan Nixon).

Whilst the adults contributed enormously to the plot it was the children that stole the hearts of everyone in the theatre. All dressed impeccably in the purple plaid school uniforms and used to studying hard and playing classical music; there was the initial reluctance and indeed resistance to bending to Dewey’s laissez faire style of ‘teaching.’ This resistance is embodied most by confident straight A student ‘Summer’ (Emily Don) who came into her own when the class buys into the idea of Dewey’s to form a school rock band as ‘Summer’ takes on the role of band manager ruling the roost with her organisational skills. I understand this is Emily’s first lead role – well based on this she has a great future in store.

Chosen by their skillset ‘Lawrence’ (Zac Anders) is chosen as ‘keyboards’ (a totally different role that that of Oliver last year). ‘Zack’ (Logan Dalziel) played guitar – never having done anything like this before, Logan had his ‘rock star’ persona down to a T. ‘Freddy’ (Charlie Sharratt) was the bands drummer and really looked the part as he manipulated his way around the drum set. Making up the band instruments was ‘Katie’ (Harriet Wright) as bass guitarist (loved the duck bill pouting).

Of course, a band needs backing singers, step up ‘Marcy’ (Millie Porri); ‘Shonelle’ (Ava Lugsden); ‘Sophie’ (Jessica Johnson- Derivan) and ‘Madison’ (Izzy Dowdall) doubling up as back-up singers as well as ‘roadies.’ Band Security was fulfilled by ‘James’ (Freddie Taylor); Stylist for the band was the superbly acted ‘Billy’ (Henry Oscar); Band ‘techie’ was ‘Mason’ (Kobi-James Hayles) – a little guy with a big personality.

Coming late to the band as lead singer was school newcomer and somewhat shy and repressed ‘Tomika’ (Laina Anders) – what can I say about her voice, her pipes created a sound as powerful as Indina Menzel and just as pure.

Most of the children were not truly understood by their parents and the powerful but plaintive song ‘If Only You Would Listen’ as a reprise brought a tear to the eye when led by Laina and backed up by the whole children’s cast. As well as plaintive music the powerful anthem ‘Stick it to the Man’ was led by Dewey and the whole cast with a tremendous energy and choreography (oh to be young again…) including the rest of the classmates of Phoebe Harvey, Ellie Coppock, Millie Eaton, Harriet Stelling, Catherine Purvis, Willow Kennedy-Boyd, Max O’Hara, Teddy Keedy, Byron Lawson and Elliott Ball.

A word about two sets of generally unrecognised peoples – firstly the band hidden away as they were behind the scenes. Led by Freda Carney they produced a fabulous sound. Secondly the stage crew of approximately a dozen bodies all in stage crew black regularly transformed the set from school room to bedroom, to bar room et al in an efficient manner – tremendous organisational skills guys keeping the action moving as befits this show.

Finally, I haven’t really said too much about Miss Mullins and Dewey but pin back your ears. These two were magnificent together and superb individually. I admit my favourite song in the whole show is ‘Where did the Rock Go?’ which was performed to perfection by Frances with great emotion and timing as she thinks back of passing opportunities and regrets.
Joe as ‘Dewey’ was a powerhouse of a performance, manic in his personality but with great passion in his love for the music in a role that was ‘made’ for him. He was rarely off the stage, and you could tell he loved every minute of it.

Of course, it takes a ‘village to raise a child’ and chaperones, lighting and sound, social media and costumes all played their respective parts.

This was a musical that melded youth and adult together in equal, and powerful, performances and I commend the skills of the production team, especially Michelle Coulson, to bring it to the stage and Jarrow MTC for allowing it to occur. Well done (and then some…)

 

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