School of Rock, The Musical (Young Actors Edition)

For their latest show, the Top Box school of musical theatre transformed themselves into the School of Rock, the musical based on the 2003 movie starring Jack Black.  It’s always good fun to watch children playing children on stage, and the Top Box team didn’t disappoint, throwing themselves into the show with gusto!

The show follows the misadventures of layabout musician Dewey Finn, rejected by his own band and threatened with eviction from the house of his friend, Ned Schneebly.  So, when he takes a call from a posh private school looking to hire Ned, Dewey sees his chance and impersonates his friend.  Unfortunately, he knows nothing about teaching and has even less enthusiasm to try, until he hits upon the idea of forming a band with the kids, with an eye on entering the forthcoming Battle of the Bands…

I enjoyed the entrance of Dewey’s adoring fans during the opening Battle of the Bands scene, swarming excitedly through the auditorium and onto the stage.  This had the positive effect of bringing the audience into the story a little more.  Dewey himself was played with great confidence and energy by Corbyn G-T, a regular and very reliable Top Box performer.  As his old buddy Ned Schneebly, Max S was suitably henpecked and Liv B was spot on in her characterisation of his domineering girlfriend Patty. 

And so Dewey takes charge of his class (an amusingly large one for a private school!) and sets about establishing his band.  So we met guitarist Zack (Felix W), keyboard player Lawrence (Elsie A), drummer Freddie (Jack K), bassist Katie (Libby F), and backing vocalists Shonelle and Marcie (Trinity L. and Sophia G.)  All of the band members had great fun in their roles and showed the journey from novice performers to fully fledged rock Gods!

Sienna H gave the key role of band manager Summer Hathaway, the class know-it-all, a nicely bossy edge.  The backstage team were not forgotten, so well done to Gracie B (Billy - Stylist), Emily D (Mason - Tech), Charlotte C (James - Security), and Sophia G and Theia N (Marcy & Madison - Roadies), who all filled their roles well.  And when Sophie B stepped forward to sing prospective lead vocalist Tomika’s ‘Amazing Grace’, you could have heard a pin drop.  A great performance from a very good young actor.

The ensemble had great fun during the group numbers, putting plenty of rock star energy into the likes of ‘Stick it to the Man’, with lots of cool posing and ‘devil fingers’ on display.  By contrast, ‘If Only You Would Listen’ provided a thoughtful and well-performed interlude, and no doubt a tear to the eyes of many in the audience. 

As the School Principal, Rosalie Mullins, Madison G made the most of her solo opportunity in ‘Where Did the Rock Go?’, whilst also developing a charming relationship with Dewey.  We also met some of the other teachers in Dewey’s school, in the amusing song ‘Faculty Quadrille’, nicely performed by Lettie G, Ella B, Poppy Gr, Ava C, Phoebe-Mae R, Jessica L, Chloe M, Tilda F, and Faith P. 

There were some very good backdrops used to set the scenes, including a pair of Battle of the Bands banners and a schoolroom setting complete with blackboards.  Costumes were also good – I particularly liked little details such as Dewey’s shirt perpetually hanging out of his trousers, and seeing young kids swamped in hi-vis tabards always raises a smile!  There were a few unfortunate issues with radio mics which meant that some lines could not really be heard, but to their credit the cast didn’t let this put them off one bit, staying in character and continuing to deliver their performances throughout. 

At the show’s ‘Battle of the Bands’ conclusion, the kids’ previously unsupportive parents watched from the side of the stage, slowly realising that perhaps they could have given their offspring a little more credit.  Something that is clearly not a problem for these young performers, whose families loudly supported them from the audience.  Guitarist Zack certainly enjoyed his solo spot in the limelight, his infectious enthusiasm really coming over as he was cheered on.  There was loads of fun and energy at the end, as the whole cast belted out a reprise of ‘Stick it to the Man’ with relish! 

My congratulations to directors Tracy Anne Wright and Georgie Pearce, who once again got some great performances from their young actors, who were clearly enjoying being on stage just as much as their fictional counterparts.  Well done to one and all, and I look forward to seeing you again soon. 

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