Ellesmere Musical Theatre Company’s The School Of Rock Musical – 11 March 2026, Montgomery Theatre
Review by Claire Taranaski.
I have a confession, although I’m aware of it, I have never seen the 2003 comedy film School Of Rock and deliberately decided to avoid watching it when I was invited to review the show so my opinion would not be influenced, but I did not need to worry as what Ellesmere MTC company presented was a production that felt like a UK wide musical tour of a had come to the Montgomery Theatre, rather than one of our best amateur musical theatre companies, that was bursting with energy and rock, celebrated the company’s existing members, welcoming new talent and showed the future of musical theatre is in safe hands and in a way only Andrew Lloyd Webber could do sent us all on an uplifting musical journey.
Bringing Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical score to life was musical director Gareth Lloyd and with a score that flows from and perfectly captures the attitudes of the rock opera of struggling rock star disguised as a substitute teacher Dewey Finn to the choral of private school Horace Green, Matilda style to Rock anthems, he achieved this perfectly and got the very best out of the musical arrangements, band and cast vocals. This was supported by the choreography of Kat Burton whose choreography again reflected the musical journey from the crisp marching routine of “Horace Green Alma Mater” to the already mentioned energy filled Matilda-like “Stick It To The Man” and got the best out of all the cast.
Director Adam Walker brought the best out of all the cast, with a script by Downton Abbey creator’s Julian Fellows and made this feel like the nationwide UK tour it should have been, transforming us from a rock gig to a musical and back to a Battle Of The Bands that had the entire audience on their feet for the last two numbers and begging for more.
The star of the show was of course Jacob Boulton as Dewey Finn, with a performance that combined elements of Jack Black and Nativity’s Mr Poppy whilst also making the character his own. Jacob would not be out of place as the lead in any professional rock opera with incredible vocals from the opening line of “When I Climb To The Top Of Mount Rock” and wonderful stage presence throughout from the small but memorable phone call where he is being himself and pretending to be his best friend at the same time to being a true front man in the final competition numbers. Jacob also possessed wonderful chemistry with all his co-stars from his on stage best friend Ned played by Danny Hawley (I would not be surprised if these two were not besties in real life and in what other show will they get to pretend to play Guitar Hero on stage) and of course all the children (his real life career as a teacher must help but who else is hoping he teaches his actual class one day in his Dewey persona, including the “Maths Is A Wonderful Thing Song”).
Out of the adult leads I must also praise Jessica Brandao, reminding me of Rashida Jones, as principal Rosalie Mullins, who captured both the professional and later relaxed sides of her characters persona with her vocals on the most traditional musical theatre number “Where Did The Rock Go” showing that she is an incredibly talented musical theatre performer.
Of course Dewey’s class are the stars of the show and for the opening night we had Team Jack (the production is alternating Team Jack and Team Black who I imagine will be equally brilliantly). For performers so young and in front of a packed house all of the children were incredibly talented, had stage presence and a level of confidence that I hope my own daughter will have in a few years time. They shared great chemistry with Jacob Boulton and each other and you could tell they were loving every minute of being on stage. I’m not going to mention everyone but Francesca Hinde as Summer had a rare star quality that would not be out of place headlining a West End production of Matilda; Malika Dian’e as Tonika portrayed the most character development on stage, perfectly reflecting how it is to be the new girl and gain the confidence to be your true self, with her performance of “Amazing Grace” bringing out the vocals of a young Alexandra Burke; and of course the four young band members Seth Cairns, Ethan Rich, Tilly Collis and Sammy Duroe, who all are a triple threat, being able to act, sing and play their own instruments.
This show could be all about the kids, but the adult ensemble were just as excellent, completely believable as a group of overworked teachers, whilst also capturing the various faces of Middle class American parenting (a highlight being their operatic Greek chorus of parents during “Dewey’s Confession” and rocking their socks off as wannabe rock stars and groupies. Special mention must go to Harry Lynch-Bowers as lead singer of Devey’s former band “No Vacancy”‘, who is worth arriving 10 minutes early for as warms up the crowd with a mini set of “Stacey’s Mum” and “Teenage Dirtbag” and looks and sounds like he was born to be the guy and and would not be out of place in a production of Rock Of Ages; Philip Smith who brought out his inner rocker and Battle Of The Bands organiser (shout out to whoever was in charge of both their wigs) and Tomika’s two dads (if I was an adopted child I would want you both rooting for me).
Behind the scenes I must mention everyone involved in the set and props, especially for the projections that seamlessly transferred us between the feeling of the various setting, with the exposed brick work capturing the urban setting that unites them all, the instruments and the Thanksgiving props; costumes especially when the cast goes full rock, and lighting who added to the capturing of the mood and who I must especially praise for their clever lighting of “If Only You Would Listen”.
Unfortunately this review will make you want to rush out and buy tickets and the run has been sold out for weeks but if this is what Ellesmere MTC can do with School Of Rock who knows what magic they will bring to the incredibly moving Come From Away this October.
