School of Rock

Longwood Theatre Productions presented "School of Rock: The Musical". A stage adaptation of the 2003 film written by Mike White, with music by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Lyrics by Glenn Slater, the story centres on Dewey Finn, a passionate yet unsuccessful rock guitarist who finds himself ousted from his band "No Vacancy", due to his excessive on-stage antics. His flamboyant behaviour proves too much for his bandmates, who decide to part ways with him. Simultaneously, Dewey’s former bandmate and current flatmate, Ned Schneebly, a mild-mannered teacher, faces pressure from his assertive partner, Patty DiMarco, to evict Dewey unless he starts contributing to the rent. In a desperate bid to make ends meet, Dewey impersonates Ned and accepts a substitute teaching position at the elite Horace Green Prep School. There, he stumbles upon a group of musically gifted students and hatches a plan to form a band with them, aiming to enter the Battle of the Bands competition. His hope, to win the prize money, pay off his debts and perhaps, if Patty doesn’t intervene, secure a roof over his head. 

The original film was a commercial hit, largely propelled by Jack Black’s magnetic performance as Dewey Finn. His portrayal seamlessly blended absurd humour with moments of genuine warmth and empathy, making the character both larger-than-life and deeply relatable. When a role becomes so closely associated with a particular actor, think Buddy the Elf, Deloris Van Cartier or Elle Woods, it inevitably sets a high bar for any subsequent interpretation. Audiences come with expectations, often shaped by the actor’s unique delivery and timing. With Jack Black being a personal favourite, I was particularly curious to see how the musical adaptation would measure up to the beloved source material. 

The show opened with No Vacancy performing “I’m Too Hot for You” with Dewey, ever the showman, attempting to steal the spotlight from the lead singer, Leo, portrayed with flair by Matthew Armitage, complete with a rockstar wig. His vocals were strong and the band had charisma. I really liked how some of the main house band came to form part of "No Vacancy" adorning themselves with rock wigs. For me Dewey’s disruptive presence didn’t feel quite as jarring as it might have, yet although a stage dive was understandably off the cards, there was still some interaction with the audience which helped elevate the scene’s energy and credibility. 

Chris Comber took on the role of Ned Schneebly, Dewey’s long-suffering friend and flatmate. Ned is caught between loyalty to Dewey and the demands of his girlfriend, Patty. Chris portrayed Ned’s gentle, pushover nature convincingly. The duo had a nice dynamic and although they were, at first glance polar opposites, you could believe they were once schoolmates. Chris gave a performance that was sincere and grounded. 

Patty DiMarco, played by Gemma Armitage, was a force to be reckoned with. Her frustration with both Ned and Dewey was palpable, and she brought a commanding presence to the stage. Beyond her stern exterior, Gemma revealed a strong singing voice that added depth to her character, proving she was more than just the antagonist. 

One of the standout adult roles was Esme Barber who portrayed the school’s headteacher, Rosalie Mullins. As the stern yet secretly passionate principal, Esme delivered a beautifully layered performance. She balanced authority with vulnerability, gradually revealing Rosalie’s hidden love for Stevie Nicks. Her vocal range was seriously impressive, moving effortlessly from the operatic to heartfelt ballads. Her transformative journey through the show was both believable and a real joy to watch. 

At the heart of the production is the role of Dewey Finn, played by Matt Ogden. Dewey is a chaotic blend of rock obsession, laziness, and charm. He is a man who lives for music, fast food and beer. I half expected Matt to channel Jack Black’s manic energy, but instead I felt he delivered a more restrained and nuanced version of the character which I have to say was perfect. Dewey is hardly ever off stage and Matt never let his energy levels drop for a second. Vocally incredibly strong and playing live showed some impressive guitar skill, all sprinkled with just enough eccentricity. Matt offered a fresh take that still honoured the spirit of the original.  

Of course, Dewey’s journey would be meaningless without the students. This was split over the run into two different classes, Team Rock and Team Roll. I had Team Rock on my visit and I can say with great confidence that my comments can be echoed to Team Roll as these young performers were exceptional. Playing his accidental bandmates and protégés were Zach, Lily Rush. Lily wowed the audience with some very skilled guitar playing, Lawrence played by Linus Goodridge was every inch the keyboard wizard, Alfie Crossley, KT, carried the stunning bassline to the class numbers and Fergus Goodridge was Freddie Hamilton the drummer who looked like he had been playing for years.  Playing live is no mean feat, and these young performers showed confidence, both musically and dramatically and were all excellently cast, delivering strong performances across the board, whether playing instruments, singing or acting. 

Summer Hathaway, the class’s overachiever, was a tough nut to crack. Initially sceptical of Dewey, she gradually found her place in the band, not as a performer, but as its Manager. Lily Mabel Leech  brought Summer to life with sharp timing and a commanding stage presence, making her yet another memorable student character. 

Supporting roles like Shonelle and Marcy, Imelda Grimes and Antonia Mosley, added charm and energy to the ensemble. Tomika, played by Lucy haughton, had a particularly touching arc, from shy newcomer to vocal powerhouse. Her breakout moment singing Amazing Grace was a highlight of the show. Other young performers, including, Emma York, Ted Finnigan, Raj Bharti, Star Comiskey and Martha Geraghty all contributed enthusiastically to the group dynamic. 

And then there was Billy, played by Lewis Sandford, whose comedic timing had the audience in laughing. His delivery was spot-on and he brought a delightful charm to every scene he was in. 

Team Roll consisted of Summer – Livia Sparks, Lawrence – Max Buddy Moorhouse (Keys), Freddie – Ben Howard (Drums), KT – Alfie Kenefick (Guitar), Tomika – Georgia Potts, Billy Sandford - Harry Green, Max – Finn Goodfellow, Ruby – Sienna Wallace, Maddison – Freya Heywood, James – Josh Stead, Mason – Alex Stead, Sophie – Robyn Jones, Marcy – Mollie Moorhouse, Shonelle – Poppy Greenwood and I echo my previous comments as I am convinced that Team Roll would be as equal to Team Rock I’m just saddened I didn’t get to see both teams.  

The ensemble numbers were executed with precision, both vocally and choreographically. The cast moved with cohesion and energy, a testament to the hard work and effort put in during rehearsals. 

This show cannot be just about the younger members so I must also mention the supporting adults that added some sparkle to the fantastic show.  

Eden Aliyu, Erin Ashmore, Ian Ball, James Bex, Dan Fallows, Colin Harris, Kath Jones, Samuel Lockwood, Julie Mallinson, Grant Moorhouse, Emmie Pearce, Ari Pettigrew, Steph Potts, Clarence Ricketts, Erin Ek Rush, Freya Tyndall and Tom Waltham all brought some unique characters to life and rounded off the very strong company dynamic. 

 The set design was functional and effective, using drop in metal girders, a video wall and a stage that came out into the stalls. This shows how versitle this theatre can be with some creative thinking. Simple set dressing suggested different locations. The frequent scene changes could have led to a disrupted flow, however this was never the case, given the number of settings required. The cast and the backstage crew worked efficiently to keep things moving at a great pace. Lighting and sound was to the usual high standards that The Lawrence Batley Theatre produces and costumes were completely appropriate and well considered throughout.  

Choreographer Tori Taylor deserves credit for orchestrating the controlled chaos of the show. The cast’s synchronisation and energy were impressive, especially in a production that thrives on a sense of wild spontaneity. 

Musical Director Scott Kitchen clearly had fun with this score. Balancing rock vocals with some traditional musical theatre elements is no easy feat, but he managed it well, ensuring the band and singers complemented each other throughout. 

Director Martin Stead brought his own infectious enthusiasm to the production. His vision was clear from the opening right through to the end. Martin has a unique way of getting the very best out of people and this brings joy that radiates from the cast. The warmth returned from the audience and proud parents was a testament to his leadership and creativity. 

School of Rock was a triumph from start to finish. My never ending thanks to the society for inviting me along to share this wonderful production. I along with the packed out audience loved every second of it. 

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