What do you get when you cross a 2003 comedy classic with the absolute magic of Andrew Lloyd Webber? Apparently, an absolute can’t-miss show full of unbelievable talent that’s one of the best I’ve seen in quite some time.
I didn’t go into the show with many expectations; for me,
this was one of those shows you’ve heard whispers about but it was never something
I felt that I had to see. Shows being based around such a big film can be a bit
hit or miss in my experience; you watch with so many pre-conceived notions
about how things should be and images of the characters in your mind’s eye
which doesn’t always sit well with the way the show translates to the stage,
and it’s usually best to separate the adaptation from what you already know.
So, with an open mind, I got myself settled and tried to remember I wasn’t
about to see a play-for-play copy on stage, complete with Jack Black-esque
hilarious lead.
Dear reader, how wrong I was.
For those who don’t know the story, 'School Of Rock' centres
around Dewey Finn – an out-of -ork rock musician whose dream is to compete in
the Battle Of The Bands. When a prestigious school calls his roommate and best
friend Ned Schneebly to offer him a substitute teaching position with a high
paying salary, Dewey takes the call and decides this is the perfect way to get
his rent money. Posing as Ned, he gets to work ‘teaching’ at one of the
country’s leading prep schools – but instead winds up discovering the
children’s incredible talent for music, forming their own band to compete with
while learning all about the amazing influence music can have.
It was easy to see just how much fun this show was going to
be from the offset; the first scene set in a dingy live music bar complete with
glaring stage lights and more smoke machine effects than you could shake a
stick at. The set was remarkable the entire way through; gorgeous moving set pieces
that transformed the stage from a dive bar to a school to a tiny apartment
quicker than you could blink – you barely even noticed the transitions were
there. Props to scenic and costume designer Anna Louizos for creating a set
that really was nothing short of transportational; it’s far easier to suspend
your disbelief when the set is so believable.
The opening number was immediately brought to life by our
main character; Jake Finn’s depiction of Dewey Finn was simply exceptional. He
gave 100% from the start and never once seemed to slow down – the energy on
that stage was like nothing I’ve seen before. He had perfect comedic timing and
seemed to just bounce so well off everyone else on the stage; and the man knew
how to work a crowd. I’ve never seen a show before that’s made me belly-laugh
that much, and still have a sore throat the next morning from cheering.
The fact that the children in the cast were, in fact,
playing their instruments live, was absolutely mindblowing. The sheer talent
on that stage was unbelievable, and every single one of them looked like they
belonged up there. From the incredible William Laborde playing Zac on the
electric guitar, amazing Eva McGrath as Freddy on the drums and Angus McDougall
playing the keys as Lawrence, it was beautiful to see kids really loving what
they were doing and having so much talent to boot. But the absolute stand-out
of the cast for me was the phenomenal Tia Isaac as Tomika. The quietest
character of the bunch, the absolutely iconic moment when we find out just how
well she can sing gave me goosebumps and brought a tear to my eye. And acting
with such professionalism the entire way through while also managing to be just
a bunch of kids having fun is what really made it stand out for me.
It’s the perfect family-friendly show to teach kids the
importance of music – and sticking it to the man – if you don’t mind a few
cheeky swears now and then. It’s full of emotion, talent and belly laughs, and
I’m already planning on seeing it again as soon as I can...those songs are just
too damned catchy.
Reviewer - Hazel Kaye
on - 4.3.22
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