Youngsters impress as songs steal the show
AFTER months of enforced closure due to Covid, smashhit musicals seem to be queuing up at the Bristol Hippodrome like trains awaiting platform clearance at Temple Meads.
This week, it’s School of Rock, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s West End and Broadway hit musical based on the 2004 film starring Jack Black as down-on-his-luck dive bar guitarist and dreamer Dewey Finn who poses as a supply teacher to pay the rent.
But this is no ordinary supply teacher. Finn assumes the name of his best mate Ned Schneebly and sets about turning a class of straightA high-achieving kids into rock musicians so they can enter a battle of the bands contest.
In the process, Dewey manages to cast his spell on the buttoned-up headmistress Miss Mullins who rediscovers her wild child side and love of Fleetwood Mac.
The part of Dewey is played in this touring production by Jake Sharp, who made his name in the role in the West End. He’s as funny, manic and likeable as Jack Black was in the film and, like the talented children in the band, he plays his instruments live on stage.
As Miss Mullins, Rebecca Lock almost stole the show with her roofraising solo Where Did The Rock Go?, although she was almost usurped by child star Tia Isaac (as shy kid Tomika) whose version of If Only You Would Listen brought lumps to the throat and people to their feet. What a voice!
Daisy Hanna as bass player Katie and William Laborde as guitarist Zack also impressed – to stand on stage in such a grand auditorium as the Hippodrome must be terrifying when you’re barely in your teens but to also play live instruments takes huge courage and talent.
Strong as the individual performances are, it’s Lloyd Webber’s songs that are the real stars of this high-energy show.
They are, as ever, immediate ear worms you’ll find yourself humming and whistling at work or school the next day, especially big numbers You’re In The Band and Stick It To The Man.
Who knows, you may even find yourself reaching for the air guitar for a quick solo when your colleagues or classmates aren’t looking.
School of Rock is at Bristol Hippodrome until Saturday. For tickets, go to atgtickets.com/bristol.