REVIEW: Spectacular move from screen to stage for School of Rock
Class is in session at the School of Rock in Aberdeen's His Majesty's Theatre this week with the impressive young cast achieving straight-A performances.
Playing their instruments live throughout the show they immerse the audience in the power of rock from forming the group in the walls of the classroom to a fantastic finale at the battle of the bands competition.
Integral to the success of the group and the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical as a whole is leading man Jake Sharp who bounces across the stage with great energy throughout playing Dewey Finn.
Based on the 2003 movie it tells the story of failed rocker Finn who has just been kicked out of his band and looking for a way to pay the rent demanded by the girlfriend of his flatmate teacher Ned Schneebly.
Finn then takes a fateful phone call from the Horace Green prep school meant for his buddy to take on a substitute teacher job and poses as him.
When he arrives he has no interest in his students, let alone teaching them, until he realises they have a wealth of musical talents and sees it as his way to win the prestigious battle of the bands to get one over on his former group and enable him to pay his rent.
However, it all comes to a head at parents evening when Finn's ruse is revealed and the group's plans to make it to the stage are put in jeopardy.
Sharp embodies actor Jack Black from the movie through the music and has superb comic timing to delight the audience.
He also puts his own take on the character and his great camaraderie with the youngsters drives the West End and Broadway hit musical forward.
As well as rocking out on their instruments, the class of students are all accomplished singers and dancers.
A particular highlight is the formation of the band as each member gets to showcase their talents.
Souparnika Nair, who plays Tomika, has one of the standout performances. Having been shy and quiet throughout she has the chance to show her vocal range singing Amazing Grace and her place in the band is finally secured.
Finn also sparks a relationship with school headteacher Rosalie Mullins, played by Rebecca Lock, who he has to win over for his battle of the bands dream to come true.
Lock shines throughout the musical particularly during the song Where Did the Rock Go? when the straight-laced teacher has an epiphany in a dive bar.
The show has 14 original songs which blend seamlessly with and compliment the original tunes from the film. It has high production values as to be expected with the team involved, which also includes Julian Fellowes, lyrics by Glenn Slater and is directed by Laurence Connor.
As well as the music there is a lot of great comedy which caters for children and adults alike.
Contemporary and timely references are included with TikTok and politicians throwing parties mentioned.
By the finale the audience are treated to a full blown rock concert, with clever staging switching the action to backstage and vice versa, as the rock group go for glory and ensures everyone is up on their feet rocking out.
The musical is at His Majesty's Theatre until Saturday and tickets can be purchased at its online box office.
