Listen to the teacher. A scene from the School of Rock musical at the Civic Theatre. Photo / Brett Phibbs.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's response to Jack Black's hit movie revives his 1970s' rock roots and delivers a heartfelt love-letter to the music that can never die.
School of Rock, The Musical is an unabashed celebration of rock's timeless appeal to the loners and social misfits who find a
voice and a sense of belonging in the reckless abandon of the rock-n-roll dream.
Closely following the movie, the storyline has a down-and-out guitarist conning his way into employment at an exclusive prep-school. Here, he unleashes heavy-metal mayhem on the pre-teens who've been browbeaten into conforming to the relentless pursuit of academic success.
In a heart-warming blast of energy, enthusiasm and preternatural talent, the extremely young cast present a raucous affirmation of Pete Townsend's old adage - The kids are alright.
It would be unfair to single out individuals as a roster of 36 child actors supply the nightly turnout of 12 pupils at the School of Rock – suffice to say you can expect to be blown away by the vocal prowess, superb musicianship and sharply drilled chorus work from performers who are not much taller than their guitars.
