School of Rock-The Musical

Farnworth Performing Arts Company stage 'School of Rock' at Thornleigh Salesian College. The movie was a big hit at the box office starring Jack Black and Andrew Lloyd Webber bought the rights. With some impressive help from the likes of Lord Lloyd Webber himself, Jack Black, Stevie Nicks and Amadeus Mozart to name but a few. The rest is history as it makes this show a popular choice, giving the chance for adults and youth to share the stage.

This a big show with a big cast and lots of technical skills needed. The school setting works re: the subject matter. Walking into the auditorium a drum set is Centre Stage -  this was movable and came from the back and went away there when needed. All blacks were used as were scenic back cloths. A set for Dewey’s bedroom with bed and door turned around and was used for the record shop. With brick wall presented on the flats and back that looked effective. A back cloth for the school corridor and the school table and chairs as one unit were manoeuvred by the cast. The bar scene complete with bar and juke box. Various props then completed the set. Stage Manager was Mike Thomas. Props Aileen Toole. Costumes were effective and worked well. Wardrobe was Helen Dickinson and Vivien Nicholls.

The Lighting worked well and complemented the set but I must mention the Sound. The feedback was very loud, making me jump on more than one occasion and mic’s were late on so I missed some dialogue and then left on so we could hear talking back stage during on stage dialogue. What I will say is how admirably the cast worked with this which is a true testament to FPAC cast. Lighting and Sound by Wayne Gibson and Samuel Dickinson.

Matthew Gavin choreographs and is now becoming well known in the area for his work on and off stage. Steve Sandiford and his own rock band rocked it out true style set up to the left of the audience. They certainly were Sticking It To The Man. Catherine Bland directs in this tale of a person lost in life and the kids help him find himself - a story of who is helping who really with a feel good factor thrown in. I liked the use of cast to move the set and props as it helped with the flow.

With a cast of over thirty were, the No Vacancy band - Lead Vocalist - Addison Thorpe as Theo, Olivia Finley as Ashley, Connor Davies-Parkinson as Doug and Jake Little as Snake.

The adult ensemble who took on various parts of parents and teachers at Horace Green School were Callum Burton, Deborah O’Conner, Elaine Sessions, Gail Costello, Helen Dickinson, Ian Bland, James Casterton, Karen Casterton, Lou Fisher Jo Burton and Matthew Gavin were all supportive and well-rounded characters. Loved Faculty Quadrille.

Bryan Maycroft takes on the roles of Mr Mooneyham, Mr Saunders and Battle of The Bands Manager Jeff Sanderson. Oliver Gaskell as the hen-pecked Ned Schneebly and his scary other half was Kelsie Partington playing Patty Di Marco. Good story line of him finally finding his voice and she liked it. Well played.

Natalie Crompton takes on the role of the ordered headmistress of Horace Green, Rosalie Mullins. The school does run like clockwork until Dewey arrives and messes up everything including her. We witness her unravelling and slow thaw towards Dewey played by David McCarrick.  What can I say - David gave his all and must be exhausted at the end of every performance, I was just watching. He never stopped and never wavered on his energy. Not quite fitting in with adults only with Ned and Rosalie, his unorthodox way is a hit with the class and his portrayal of the childlike man. Great work.

The class who worked really well with David and each other and a lovely scene in Dewey’s bedroom. Talulah Eccles played Madison. Violet Proud played Sophie, Phoebe Bates played Shonelle, Errise Becket played James, Madison Young played Marcy and Kieran Collins played computer man Mason. Freya Summer played the school swot and a future Rosalie, Summer wanting things just as they were took time to adjust but loved it when made band manager. Ricardo Melis Ferrer as Billy was hilarious and one to watch. Florence Johnson as Tomika who didn’t at first speak and was new to the school If Only You Would Listen was just lovely. The band were Sienna Parkinson playing Lauren, Ashleigh Smith playing Katie and on Bass guitar great facial expression and energy. Wilbur Lomax played Freddie on drums - just wow.  And last but not least Elizabeth Hinze as Zach on guitar. So talented. You all looked to be having the time of your life and that transmitted to the audience. So well played - you certainly stuck it to not just the man but us aswell.

Thank you to FPAC for the invite from my guest Nicola and I and for including youth in your show this year - it’s actually heartwarming.

I am aware that a show of this size needs chaperones to pull this off. So, thank you for your time, Rachel Smith, Tracy Higginson, Sharon Harper and Kate Parkinson.

I’m looking forward to Six.

 

District 5 Rep

Liz Hume-Dawson

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