Andrew Lloyd Webber’s West End production of School of Rock – The Musical officially opened in the West End last night, Monday 14th November 2016, at the New London Theatre (Gillian Lynne Theatre) and is initially booking to 12 February 2017.
Based on the iconic hit movie and with a rocking new score by Andrew Lloyd Webber, School of Rock The Musical follows slacker and wannabe rock star Dewey Finn turn a class of straight-A students into an ear popping, riff scorching, all-conquering rock band! Dewey poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school to make ends meet, and when he discovers his fifth graders’ musical talents, he enlists his class to form a rock group and conquer the Battle of the Bands. As Dewey falls for the beautiful headmistress, can he and his students keep this special assignment secret as they learn to fully embrace the power of rock?
Comedy star David Fynn stars as Dewey Finn, the role made famous by Jack Black in the film. His television credits include The Inbetweeners, Sherlock, Game of Thrones, a series regular in Pete vs Life for Channel 4 and Undateable for NBC/Comedy Central. On stage, he has appeared at the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and at the Donmar Warehouse in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. He is joined by Florence Andrews as Rosalie Mullins, Oliver Jackson as Ned Schneebly and Preeya Kalidas as Patty Di Marco.
The ‘grown up’ cast is completed by Gary Trainor as the alternate Dewey with ensemble members Jonathan Bourne, Nadeem Crowe, Michelle Francis, Rosanna Hyland, Cassandra McCowan, Joel Montague, Andy Rees, Cameron Sharp, Tasha Sheridan, Andrew Spillett and Lucy Vandi and swings, Charlotte Bradford, Jason Denton, Cellen Chugg Jones and Alfie Parker.
Based on the smash hit 2003 film of the same title, School of Rock features music from the movie, as well as new music written by Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Glenn Slater and a book by Julian Fellowes. School of Rock – The Musical is directed by Laurence Connor with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter, set and costume designs by Anna Louizos, lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Mick Potter, music supervision by John Rigby with Matt Smith as musical director.
The nationwide search to find the three teams of thirteen young performers took place earlier this year. The role of Zack will be alternated by Tom Abisgold, twelve years old from Chester, Toby Lee, eleven years old from Warwickshire and Jake Slack, twelve years old from Buckinghamshire. The role of Freddy will be alternated by Bailey Cassell, eleven years old from London, Jude Harper-Wrobel, ten years old from Hertfordshire and Noah Key, twelve years old from Shropshire. Giles Carden, twelve years old from Surrey, Oscar Francisco, twelve years old from Coventry and James Lawson, twelve years old from London will alternate the role of Lawrence. Selma Hansen, eleven years old, Lois Jenkins eleven years and Sophia Pettit thirteen years old, all from London, will alternate the role of Katie. Isabelle Methven, twelve years old from Hertfordshire, Lucy Simmonds, eleven years old from Hampshire and Eva Trodd, eleven years old from Kent, will alternate the role of Summer.
Madeleine Haynes, twelve years old, Leah Levman, ten years old and Natasha Raphael, ten years old, all from London, will alternate the role of Marcy. Alternating the role of Shonelle are Jaydah Bell-Ricketts, eleven years old from London, Shoshana Ezequiel, twelve years old from London and Amelia Poggenpoel, eleven years old from Liverpool. Alternating the role of Sophie are Lola Moxom, eleven years old from Kent, Mia Roberts, eleven years old from London and Grace Schneider, eleven years old from London. Alternating the role of Tomika are Nicole Dube, twelve years old from Essex, Amma Ris, eleven years old from London and Adithi Sujith, nine years old from London. Jobe Hart, ten years old from London, Joshua Vaughan, ten years old from Birmingham and Logan Walmsley, eleven years old from London will alternate the role of Billy. Presley Charman, nine years old from London, Lucas Chow, twelve years old from London and Ben Dawson, twelve years old from Hampshire will alternate the role of Mason. The role of James will be alternated by Bradley Bissett, twelve years old from Kent, Denzel Eboji, twelve years old from London and Sonny Kirby, twelve years old from London. The role of Matthew will be alternated by Zac Dowlatshahi, ten years old from London, Harry Egerton, eleven years old from the Birmingham and Jacob Swann, eleven years old from London.
School of Rock –The Musical received its world premiere at the Winter Garden Theatre in November last year where it continues its smash hit run. Produced by Paramount Pictures, the 2003 hit film School of Rock was directed by Richard Linklater and starred Jack Black in a career-defining performance.
School of Rock — The Musical is produced in the West End by Andrew Lloyd Webber for The Really Useful Group and Warner Music Group and Access Industries with Madeleine Lloyd Webber as Executive Producer.
Read our 5-star The School of Rock Musical review. Book School of Rock Musical tickets for New London Theatre.
New London Theatre/Gillian Lynne Theatre
166 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5PW