Andrew Lloyd-Webber is no stranger to plagiarism and reinvention, and so it seemed like a gift horse for him when he bought the rights to turn a film - already with lots of music - into a Musical! The 2003 American comedy film would be the perfect vehicle he needed to turn his dwindling superstar status around; his last couple of ventures had been box office flops.
In the end however, precious little in terms of music has been "kept" from the film. The 'buff' will recognise a couple of the film's melodies, somewhat changed and obfuscated, but they are there. What Lloyd-Webber does do however, is plagiarise from himself in this musical, and does so shamelessly throughout! And when the tunes he does use are such good ones, who can blame him? Cole Porter was the Grand Master in this regard, but that was in the days of the Book-Musical, when songs could be used in their entirety, unchanged, in any musical they wanted. These days, when the songs progress the narrative then it isn't quite as easy. The one song however in this musical which really should be the showstopper / stand-out piece, the competition entry, 'School Of Rock' song, is actually, in my humble opinion, the weakest song in the whole show.
The show tells the story of a rock guitarist Dewey Finn, lead guitar in a group of not-so-talented Rock Band members, who continues to outshine the lead singer with his clever riffs and technical expertise. The band realise they are being continually upstaged and so decide they should sack him, despite the band being his idea in the first place. He currently "boards" at an ex-band member's house, who has 'moved on' from his heady days of drugs and rock'n'roll and become 'respectable' with a posh girlfriend. Of course there are comedic tensions in this situation, but it also means that Dewey has no job, no money and cannot pay his rent. The girlfriend is at the end of her tether, when, a Deus-ex-Machina arrives in the form of a telephone call from an elite prep school asking if Ned Schneebly (Dewey's ex-band member buddy) would be available to be a substitute teacher at the school for a few weeks. Dewey pretends to be Ned, accepts the job, and totally unfit to teach, never mind at an elite public school, turns up late and hungover on the first day! But this is a fable and a comedy, and so of course, everything works out right in the end, and the young children in his charge turn out to be exceptional musicians, and after forming a band - the School Of Rock - with them, takes them to the 'Battle Of The Bands' competition.
The musical is full of subliminal messages about parenting, mental health, and the power of music, but all is wrapped up in a hugely feel-good show with earworm music and American humour.
Taking the lead role of Dewey Finn in this production by Cre8iv Theatre Company was Chris Higgins. A hugely charismatic performer, Higgins proved to be a superb choice for this role. Having seen the latest professional tour when it came to Manchester's Palace Theatre last June, I can say, hand on heart, that Higgins outshone their Dewey easily. Here Higgins presented a fully-rounded and believable character, and his journey was measured and sympathetically played; unlike the professional actor who hammed the role up for all it was worth, becoming mono-dimensional and abrasively OTT. Not only that but Higgins was a super singer too, hitting all the high notes (of which there are many) with Rock-style perfection.
Higgins was aided and abetted by a sturdy group of adults, most of whom make small or cameo appearances throughout. The only other adult who really stands out in this show is the Principal of the school, Sam Duffy. Here this role was taken by Rosalee Mullins. Again, a nicely measured performance saw her change almost imperceptibly at first from stiff and aloof to a more relaxed and happy ex-rock chick as she warms to the childish charms of Dewey. Her solo in the cafe 'Where Did The Rock Go' was one of the show's highlights.
This show however, belongs to the children. A class of young prep school students who have to change from upperclass nerds through understanding, acceptance and warming to Dewey (each in their own way) to "rockers" in the space of the evening, and all need to be excellent all-rounders: acting, singing, dancing, and playing at least one musical instrument, is a prerequisite for them all. Where could such a cast be found? Well, I don't know the answer to that, other than to say, found it was, and these youngsters were absolutely brilliant! Easily holding their own with the professional cast I saw last June, these youngsters, a couple as young as 9 years old, simply outshone the adults, quite rightly stealing the show.
Tilly Musson was a superb choice for the bossy 'manager', Summer; Liza Brady's 'Amazing Grace' as Tomika was simply, well, amazing; Summer Gracie and Charlotte Hardcastle both impressed and their guitar-playing knew no bounds; Mia Gislow (at just 11 years old) played the keyboards as if she was born to do so; and young Freddie Butler as Freddie Hamilton absolutely knew his way around a drum kit! Fun was had with the two 'backing singers' Shonelle (Heidi Dawson) and Marcy (Caitlyn Maclean), bopping and singing with glee working well together; whilst a couple donned sunglasses and looked suitably 'Blues Brothers-ish' as they played 'security' (Armenia Kishmishian and Madison Whitham). Together with several others playing ensemble and smaller cameos within the class, the entire team of 'Demon Rascals' are deserving simply of the highest praise.
A few things within the show didn't work quite as well as perhaps they really out to have done; however this was opening night and the cast were rehearsing on stage even as we waited in the bar for the house to open.. nothing like leaving things to the last minute is there?! Pauses between scenes were overlong at times, and seeing stage management on stage shifting scenery is never ideal - but when in blackout and using a headlamp, this just looks a little "amateurish" sadly. However, the worst thing for me this evening was undoubtedly the lighting design. To say that it was poor is something of an understatement most unfortunately. Black-spots, and cast unlit when performing solos was only one of the problems. In fact, it only truly came together when they used all their creative talent to light the finale sequence! Hopefully as the run continues, these haituses can be ironed out.
LX design notwithstanding, this is a truly upbeat and professionally produced show, which oozes talent and energy from the opening and is full credit to a society I had hitherto never heard of. School Of Rock, rocks!
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 1.3.23
on - 1.3.23
Amazing show, very talented group. There were 5 of us and we all LOVED IT. We watch this show at Broadway and we felt you did the same job, well done to each of you.
ReplyDeleteJacqui Bury
I’m just back home having watched the final performance of the show with my two grandkids and my daughter. What a show! Everyone in the audience was on their feet, clapping and rocking out! Well done cast and crew and well done The Lowther Pavillion for staging this great performance. The adult cast members were amazing, and kudos the the lead who played a truly believable part but credit where credit is due and hats off big time to the talented kids…phenomenal musicians & actors. By the end, the entire audience was on its feet clapping and rocking out! A fantastic show, thank you so much
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