The School of Rock

To sum this production up in one word: STUNNING, and to quote Dewey Finn “I know they are just kids, but they are AWESOME.” Playing instruments live on stage, singing beautifully, moving and dancing to perfection as well as acting - wow, just WOW!

School of Rock is a full-on Rock Musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber based on the film of the same name, which follows an out of work musician, Dewey Finn, who masquerades as a supply teacher at a prestigious school. He sees the latent talents of the children in his charge and forms them into a rock band in an attempt to win the Battle of the Bands. Although the aim was to improve his own financial situation, it has a liberating effect on the children too.

Taking the lead was the immensely likeable Sam Townsend, who got Dewey’s character just right transforming him from a drunken layabout to an inspirational leader as the show progressed. He has a powerful voice well suited to the musical style and all the right moves for a rock singer. He was strongly supported by Laura Bowler as uptight school head Rosalie Mullins, every bit his equal as a singer, who taken in by his charms, revealing her secret love of rock and roll. Archie Crockett gave a good portrayal of Dewey’s nerdy friend Ned Schneebly and Madison Cathrow was perfect as his domineering girlfriend Patti di Marco.

Of course, the stars of the show are the children, and what a talented group of youngsters they are. I won’t mention individuals because every single one was outstanding:  full of life and expression, totally engaged, word perfect, concentration never lapsing and each with their own well-developed character. Their choral singing in “If only you would listen” - my favourite number in the show - was utterly sublime. Very simply set, the harmonies were all there as it gathered to a great climax. And at the end of the show, I checked: the band were all clapping in time with the music, so it really was the cast playing on stage.

Kim Seagrove’s small but most effective band produced exactly the right sound for the show. Being rock, it had to be loud, and it was! The sound system quality was top notch, although the balance was biased a bit too much towards the band rather than the singers.

The set by Scenic Projects was excellent and the strikingly colourful projected backdrops just left furniture and props for the stage crew and cast to manoeuvre. Although one or two scene changes were a little protracted, the show generally flowed well, with hardly time to draw a breath. Lighting was most effective, but a couple of delayed lighting changes left the cast looking a little perplexed. Costumes were entirely appropriate for every scene and looked good quality.

A cast of ridiculously talented kids led by some pretty amazing adults. The storyline and a lot of the music didn’t particularly resonate with me, but I will long remember the feel-good vibes radiating off these talented young performers. Nick Williams, Bee Anderson and Kim Seagrove what a job you did - you schooled this cast so well, and produced an amazing piece of theatre, something I suspect they will remember for a long time to come.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.