“School Of Rock”

Nottingham Royal Concert Hall

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s award-winning musical, based on the hit movie, follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn a few extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There he turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band – performed live by the production’s young actors. Not only does he do that but he awakes their inner self and they become "cool", not only in the eyes of the other kids but in their own eyes, and eventually in the eyes of their parents.

Dewey wants to enter them into "The Battle Of the Bands" competition against the band that he has just been kicked out of, "No Vacancy", but this becomes more than just a revenge gig, he actually touches the lives of these kids and they also touch his life. The musical features 14 new songs from Andrew Lloyd-Webber as well as the original songs from the film.

Jake Sharp plays Dewey and he is just as good as Jack Black in the film. He has an abundance of energy and is instantly lovable. You'd wish you had a teacher like him at your school.

Rebecca Lock plays the role of the Head of School, Rosalie Mullins. I love these characters who start off as one thing and mutate into a completely different character and that is what happens with Rosalie, once Dewey discovers her Achilles heel. Rebecca meanwhile gets to show an incredible pair of lungs in a solo in Act Two when she turns from a stuffy School Head to a Stevie Nicks loving rock chick in a "why Ms Mullins, you're beautiful" transformation.

Dewey's ex band mate and his co Landlord, Ned Schneebly, who you may remember is the one that had originally been offered the teaching job at the school, is played by James Bisp, who also goes through a transformation at the end, and is seen by his girlfriend, Patti Di Marco, who is the other co Landlord, in a completely different light! Patti is played by the gorgeous Nadia Violet Johnson.

The real stars of this show though are the kids. There are three teams of twelve kids who perform in this musical, and if the other two teams are half as brilliant as the team seen on Tuesday night, then there are a heck of a lot of upcoming stars in a few years with this bunch. I got a little shiver when I heard them play drums, keyboards, bass guitar and lead guitar absolutely live, because if they are this talented at this age, what will they be like in another ten years' time?

All these child actors are amazing in what they do, but you always seem to gravitate towards one or two don't you? Well I did. I loved Jasmine Djazel who played Tomika. Her accapella version of "Amazing Grace" sent shivers up my spine.

Another young actor I loved was Alfie Morwood who played Billy. His mannerisms and character were incredible for one so young.

It's a wonderfully fun production to watch, and this was the first time I have seen it on stage. The organised mayhem and chaos was an utter joy to see, and even a technical issue in Act two could not stop The School Of Rock from rolling on.

There are a few original songs that I will remember from the show, "Stick It to the Man" being the obvious one, but I loved the ballad "Where Did The Rock Go", sung by Mrs Mullins and also the "auditions" song "You're In the Band" which is great fun.

“School Of Rock” is at the Royal Concert Hall until Saturday 20 November.