ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER’S SMASH HIT
WEST END & BROADWAY MUSICAL
WEST END & BROADWAY MUSICAL
SCHOOL OF ROCK
5/5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend
Tues 12 – Sat 16 October 2021
5/5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend
Tues 12 – Sat 16 October 2021
School of Rock was one of the last shows I saw in the West End before lockdown was thrust upon us. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s smash hit, award-winning West End show, is now rocking its way into Southend with performances all this week at the Cliffs Pavilion.
Based on the hilarious School of Rock hit movie, the storyline follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn a few extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There he turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band.
While teaching these pint-sized prodigies what it means to truly rock and Stick it to the Man, Dewey falls for the school’s beautiful, but uptight headmistress, helping her rediscover the wild child within.
There are some stellar performances in this touring production not least with Jake Sharp playing Dewey Finn (played by Jack Black in the film) with fabulous pace and endearing enthusiasm and the wonderful Rebecca Lock in the role of headmistress, Rosalie Mullins. Her vocals are quite literally off the scale; she has the most amazing voice which will absolutely blow you away. Jake really makes the part his own and his scenes with the kids are sheer joy.
Dewey attempts to turn the cello and piano playing gold star pupils into rock stars so that he can compete and fulfil his dream of winning the 'Battle of the Bands'. In the process he unwittingly gives the children the confidence to become who they really want to be as opposed to what their pushy parents want them to be. If Only You Would Listen sung by the students beautifully conveys this wish. These kids are unbelievably talented and it really is an exhilarating experience getting to watch them performing; and especially endearing when their instruments are almost as big as they are. These kids are very cool, they exude enormous amounts of energy and are great role models for young musicians of the future.
A question that is often asked about this show, is whether the kids actually play the instruments themselves; and yes, they absolutely do. All of the children in this show are equally awesome but there are some beautifully played out parts from Florrie May Wilkinson as the super efficient and bossy, Summer and Souparnika Nair as the shy Tomika who provides some outstanding vocals in Amazing Grace which may have left a certain member of the audience with a tear in their eye.
Mathew Rowland and Nadia Violet Johnson as Ned and Patty are also great fun to watch with a hugely satisfying moment when Ned finally stands up to his pushy partner, much to the delight of the audience.
Scenery is as effective and seamless as the West End production along with fabulous lighting and sound and backed up by the unseen 'grown up' band rocking it out under the stage under the direction of Michael Riley.
In fact, this is probably one of a very few shows that has actually come out on a regional tour without having to make any compromises. You really are getting your West End money's worth here with a show that will appeal to all generations of music lovers. Book your tickets now, you won't be disappointed.
Based on the hilarious School of Rock hit movie, the storyline follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn a few extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There he turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band.
While teaching these pint-sized prodigies what it means to truly rock and Stick it to the Man, Dewey falls for the school’s beautiful, but uptight headmistress, helping her rediscover the wild child within.
There are some stellar performances in this touring production not least with Jake Sharp playing Dewey Finn (played by Jack Black in the film) with fabulous pace and endearing enthusiasm and the wonderful Rebecca Lock in the role of headmistress, Rosalie Mullins. Her vocals are quite literally off the scale; she has the most amazing voice which will absolutely blow you away. Jake really makes the part his own and his scenes with the kids are sheer joy.
Dewey attempts to turn the cello and piano playing gold star pupils into rock stars so that he can compete and fulfil his dream of winning the 'Battle of the Bands'. In the process he unwittingly gives the children the confidence to become who they really want to be as opposed to what their pushy parents want them to be. If Only You Would Listen sung by the students beautifully conveys this wish. These kids are unbelievably talented and it really is an exhilarating experience getting to watch them performing; and especially endearing when their instruments are almost as big as they are. These kids are very cool, they exude enormous amounts of energy and are great role models for young musicians of the future.
A question that is often asked about this show, is whether the kids actually play the instruments themselves; and yes, they absolutely do. All of the children in this show are equally awesome but there are some beautifully played out parts from Florrie May Wilkinson as the super efficient and bossy, Summer and Souparnika Nair as the shy Tomika who provides some outstanding vocals in Amazing Grace which may have left a certain member of the audience with a tear in their eye.
Mathew Rowland and Nadia Violet Johnson as Ned and Patty are also great fun to watch with a hugely satisfying moment when Ned finally stands up to his pushy partner, much to the delight of the audience.
Scenery is as effective and seamless as the West End production along with fabulous lighting and sound and backed up by the unseen 'grown up' band rocking it out under the stage under the direction of Michael Riley.
In fact, this is probably one of a very few shows that has actually come out on a regional tour without having to make any compromises. You really are getting your West End money's worth here with a show that will appeal to all generations of music lovers. Book your tickets now, you won't be disappointed.
Twitter @schoolofrockuk
Instagram @Schoolofrockuk
Facebook @schoolofrockmusical
YouTube /schoolofrockmusical
Box Office:
www.thecliffspavilion.co.uk
Instagram @Schoolofrockuk
Facebook @schoolofrockmusical
YouTube /schoolofrockmusical
Box Office:
www.thecliffspavilion.co.uk