The School of Rock Rocks Sydney

Last Friday night a bunch of talented children and adults rocked the stage of the Capitol Theatre. It was the opening night of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical School of Rock.

I was part of the audience in the packed out theatre that enjoyed the energy of the young performers on the stage. 

The musical is based on the 2003 comedy movie School of Rock. I saw it ages ago, so will have to go back and see it again when it reappears on TV.

School of Rock tells the story of a struggling has-been rock 'n' roll guitarist Dewey Finn who is struggling to pay his room rent. He ends up posing as a substitute teacher at a private school even though he is not an accredited teacher. Rather than teaching Maths or English, he brings out the musical talents of his 5th class students and makes a band out of them. He then enters them into the local Battle of the Bands with the aim of winning the prize money to pay his rent. Of course, there are obstacles in the way of him realising his plan in the form of unsupportive parents and teachers. 

Glenn A. Baker on the Opening Night Red Carpet

The main stars of School of Rock are the 12 school children in the classroom. On Opening Night the 12 children were Cole Zoemleib,  Zane Blumeris, Cooper Alexis, Jude Hyland, Cherami Myra Remultra, Joel Bishop, Paisley Motum, Brandon Santos, Sara Petrovski, Zoe Zantey, Deanna Cheong Foo, and Sabina Felias. They are a very talented bunch of children. The 4 children (Zane, Cherami, Jude & Cooper) who end up playing instruments in the school band actually play their instruments live on stage, and have leant to play from very young ages. There are actually 3 different casts of children who alternate in the various performances. On opening night it was good to see all of them appear briefly on stage at the end of the show. 

The two main adults in School of Rock are the rocking pretend teacher Dewey Finn, played by Brent Hill and Joe Kosky and the prim and proper authoritarian School Headmistress Rosalie Mullins played by Amy Lehpamer. On Opening Night Brent and Amy were wonderful in their comedic roles as their relationship with each other changed as the story progressed. John O'Hara plays Ned Schneebly and Nadia Komazec plays Patty Di Marco, Deweys housemates who want his rent arrears paid.

The ensemble of adults filled the dual roles of the parents of the children and the school staff. 

The lighting and sets were good as they altered to portray different parts of the school, house and Battle of the Bands stage. 

Is there a message to take away from School of Rock? Yes, there are several intertwined ones, with the main one being that all people, including children, should be appreciated for who they are and have their talents recognised and developed. 

The only downside for me of School of Rock was that I found it a little bit hard to understand some of the words of the sung rock songs due to the fast pace of the singing and the loud music. 

Should you go and see School of Rock? Yes, if you want to see a fast-paced, funny, rock 'n' roll music-filled show. Yes, if you want to see very talented youngsters perform on stage. Yes, if you want a great night out away from screen viewing. Yes, if you are an adult. Yes, if you are a child. 

SCHOOL OF ROCK

Capitol Theatre Sydney, 13 Campbell St, Haymarket NSW 2000 - Playing now until 16 February
Website: Capitol Theatre - School of Rock
Adelaide Festival Centre - March 20 to April 12

Tickets: ticketmaster
Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one 20 minute intermission