Review: SCHOOL OF ROCK THE MUSICAL, The Alexandra Birmingham - UK tour

Photo credit: Paul Coltas

Based on the 2003 film starring Jack Black as the effervescent Dewey Finn, School of Rock is a fun, uplifting show that has transferred onto the stage perfectly. 

With Andrew Lloyd Webber at the forefront and with a book by Julian Fellowes, the show tells the story of a rockstar wannabe who inadvertently gets himself a job being a substitute teacher at the very affluent Horace Green School and so ensues his dream of entering ‘Battle of the Bands’.  Little did he know when arriving that the children would be incredible musicians and performers cementing his want for that grand final performance.

Dewey Finn (Jake Sharp), who is using the name Ned Schneebly (Matthew Rowland), his best friend with whom he lives and who is the real teacher, is badgered daily by Ned’s girlfriend Patty Di Marco (Amy Oxley) to pay the rent, so when the opportunity arises for him to take home a salary on a job offered to Ned, he jumps at the chance, not realising the possible issues that may cause.

Sharp is a bundle of energy throughout the show.  His voice is certainly very well suited to the rock music played during the performance and he plays Dewey Finn with such fantastic comic timing, using the stage to its full capacity. He also has a fantastic rapport with the children which makes the whole show very heart-warming too.

Now, we must talk about the insanely talented children on stage.  As the show starts, we hear a recorded message from Andrew Lloyd Webber confirming that the children really do play all the instruments we see on stage and boy, do they play them!  As with most schools, there is a class swot in the form of Summer, played quite superbly by Keira Laver.  She leads the opening song of Act 2 with such professionalism and certainly lights up the stage, as does Angel Lucero who plays a shy Tomika.  She is new to the school and doesn’t have many friends but once the class bond over the band, she really comes out of her shell and certainly does have the voice of an angel! A shout out must also be given to Eva McGrath who plays drummer Freddy, Hanley Webb who plays guitarist Zack and Logan Matthews who plays Billy, the band stylist who gives such a fabulously cheeky performance.  

The head of Horace Green comes in the form of Rosalie Mullins played by Rebecca Lock.  She plays the part of uptight Ms Mullins well, however it is not until Dewey takes her out for a drink that we see the real character of a fun loving woman who has lost her way in the grown up world of high powered work.  Lock’s rendition of ‘Where Did the Rock Go’ is performed beautifully and with such feeling.  

The finale is the cherry on the top of the already tasty cake.  After the school perform at the grand final of ‘Battle of the Bands’, they are cheered back on stage for an encore.  Every single child on the stage shines through this scene and you are actively encouraged to take photographs/videos should you wish.  The place erupts with the synonymous ‘Stick it to the Man’.  The lighting by Natasha Katz really dazzles at this point and with the choreography by Joann M. Hunter, the whole stage rocks out in their own inimitable style.

We implore you to see this show as soon as you can. It’s uplifting, fun, high energy and packed with talent.

No-one can stop the School of Rock!

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Emma Rowley

School of Rock the Musical plays at the Alexandra in Birmingham until 5 February before continuing its UK tour. Tickets for select venues can be purchased here.