I’m not going to lie, it’s been a good 20 years since I ‘stuck it to the man’ but last night I headed to Leeds Grand Theatre to watch Andrew Lloyd Webber’s School of Rock and did just that!
OK, maybe I didn’t quite stick it to the man but I did have a really enjoyable evening.
Despite having never seen the 2004 iconic movie School of Rock, I did have an idea of the premise but wasn’t quite sure if this would be a show of ‘covers’ or original music. Turns out Mr Lloyd-Webber has added another 14 songs to the existing ones of the film – what a clever chap.
Wannabe rock star Dewey Finn is thrown out his band and finds himself in desperate need of cash. Posing as a substitute music teacher at an elite prep school, he exposes his students to the rock gods he idolises, transforming them into a mind-blowing rock band. While teaching these pint-sized prodigies what it means to truly rock out, Dewey falls for the school’s beautiful, but uptight headmistress, Miss Mullins, helping her rediscover the wild child within. But, will they all find redemption at the battle of the bands?
In a hugely talented cast, Jake Sharp inhabits the man-child character of Finn in an endearing way that has the audience rooting for him despite his deception and initially selfish intention. His energetic and enthusiastic performance not only carries the show along but also indicates that he’s having a really, flipping good time along the way. The cast of children is phenomenal, before the show there is an announcement that the children in the show will be playing and singing live which, to the cynic, could imply it would be a bit ‘school talent show’. Fear not, they are a multi-talented, energetic individuals who, despite their tender years, commanded the stage throughout the performance.
The underlying premise of kids being able to follow their dreams rather than those of their parents is also played out beautifully by the whole cast with the notion that everyone has different skills but we can all still be in the band.
The geek in me has got to reference the stage design which manged to transform from a slackers bedroom to an elite prep school to a dive bar with the mere turn of a wall – it really was the icing on the cake.
The audience was a mix of young and old alike, I would happily have taken my 11 year old along but think it would have been a bit much for my 7 year old. With a running time of almost 2 1/2 hours it is a long stint for the younger ones.
Ultimately, I would definitely recommend trying to catch School of Rock on its current tour – you are sure to have a wonderful night and may leave feeling a tiny bit rebellious to!
School of Rock is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Monday 4 to Saturday 9 April 2022
Book online at leedsheritagetheatres.com or call 0113 243 0808
School of Rock Comes to Leeds Grand Theatre This April
Get ready to stick it to the man because Andrew Lloyd Webber’s West End and Broadway hit musical School of Rock is coming to rock out at Leeds Grand Theatre from Monday 4 to Saturday 9 April 2022.
School of Rock is the global hit musical based on the iconic movie starring Jack Black. Wannabe rock star Dewey Finn is cast out by his dive-bar bandmates and finds himself in desperate need of cash. Posing as a substitute music teacher at an elite prep school, he exposes his students to the rock gods he idolises, transforming them into a mind-blowing rock band. While teaching these pint-sized prodigies what it means to truly rock out, Dewey falls for the school’s beautiful, but uptight headmistress, Miss Mullins, helping her rediscover the wild child within. But, will they all find redemption at the battle of the bands?
Jake Sharp is getting the band back together as he leads the cast as Dewey Finn having previously performed the role in the West End. Alex Tomkins will perform in the role at certain performances. They are joined by a stellar cast including a band of insanely talented kids that play live in every show.
Featuring 14 new songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber and all the original songs from the movie, School of Rock will warm your heart and blow you away in equal measure.
Book your tickets today to see the hit musical that everyone’s raving about.
School of Rock is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Monday 4 to Saturday 9 April 2022
Book online at leedsheritagetheatres.com or call 0113 243 0808