School of Rock (theatrical.), at The National Theatre - 2 hours 30 minutes, including interval

If you are in the mood for some light-hearted fun and hijinks, head for The National Theatre to see theatrical’s production of School of Rock.

Debuting on Broadway in December 2015, it is based on the 2003 film, which was a hit for Jack Black, who played the most unlikely of teachers.

The musical features the mastery of Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Glenn Slater and book by Julian Fellowes.

Photos by Natalie Edge

Dewey Finn can’t take a trick. He is a struggling, out-of-work rock singer and guitarist who has just been kicked out of his band and fired from his job at a record store.

He is unable to pay his rent, which he is leant upon to make good on by his friend Ned Schneebly’s domineering girlfriend Patty Di Marco.

And that is when opportunity knocks or, to be more accurate, Dewey takes advantage of an opportunity that wasn’t meant for him.

Rosalie Mullins, the principal of a hoity-toity school, calls to offer Schneebly a well-paid substitute teacher’s position.

Dewey assumes Schneebly’s persona and takes the job at the Horace Green School, where he will be teaching fifth graders.

In keeping with his reckless ways, he arrives for his first day late, totally unprepared and hungover.

The seemingly strait-laced, uptight, by-the-book principal doesn’t know what has hit her and neither do the children.

Dewey abandons the set curriculum and gives over his classes to form a band, complete with back-up singers and groupies.

He wants them to compete in The Battle of the Bands competition, where his former band, No Vacancy, will feature and $20,000 prize money is on offer.

But that is hardly what the parents paid massive tuition fees for and certainly not what fellow teachers, nor the principal, were ready to countenance.

It is only a matter of time before the proverbial dam wall bursts.

I am a fan of the amusing, anti-establishment arc that underpins School of Rock.

In colloquial parlance, it says there are different ways of skinning a cat, with all growing through the experience.

I found theatrical’s production surprisingly flat in Act I, before it picked up and became an energetic romp in Act II (the final numbers hit is out of the park).

My favourite scene was the children collapsing onto the stage feigning illness to try to get into the Battle of the Bands. Hilarious stuff!

John Yanko has an unmistakable stage presence in the lead role. He brings confidence and vitality to Dewey Finn. 

As principal Mullins, Anna Dinyes is undoubtedly the standout vocally, with her rich, rounded and pitch perfect musicality shining through.

The chorus numbers, too, are strong.

What the children lack in vocal proclivity, they make up for with youthful enthusiasm. 

On opening night, I couldn’t take my eyes off nine-year-old Billy Sandford. His expressions and awkwardness as youngster Elliott Hayes are a delight.

And make some noise for Ethan Nigli who proves to be quite the adept drummer. He plays Freddie Hamilton.

Under musical director Mal Fawcett, the band (positioned under the stage) is in fine form.

The sets transport us to the heart of the action. Still, I would have liked to have seen more “pop” in some of the staging.

Overall, though, with sound choreography by Jaimee White, School of Rock, directed by Cody Riker, remains a spirited hoot.

theatrical’s production is on at The National Theatre until 15^th November, 2025.