SVS 'School of Rock' Programme - June 2019

THE HISTORY OF THE MUSICAL

B

ack in 2003, Richard Linklater’s hit film School of Rock opened to critical acclaim. The movie followed Dewey Finn, an out-of-work rock singer and guitarist who pretends to be a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. After identifying the musical talent in his students, Dewey forms a band of fifth-graders in an attempt to win an upcoming Battle of the Bands contest.

The film proved to be a breakthrough success for Jack Black who earned a Golden Globe nomination for best actor in a musical/comedy for his portrayal of Dewey. The film also broke box-office records by becoming the highest-grossing music-themed comedy at the time of release (later surpassed by the Pitch Perfect franchise), earning more than $130 million worldwide.

Eleven years after its big screen release, the legacy of the film was reignited when Andrew Lloyd Webber bought the stage rights, with his intention to bring it to the West End. Although following the same narrative as the original, he was keen that the musical be more focused on the individual stories of the students, in contrast to the film which was more focused on Dewey. The result, he hoped, would see the film fused with the stage rock elements of Jesus Christ Superstar together with thematic influences from the likes of Matilda and Rent. To achieve this, Lloyd-Webber worked with with Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes on the script and with Glenn Slater on the lyrics.

Speaking about the music, Lloyd Webber explained the need for additional music rather than simply using the film’s full soundtrack.“You can’t do heavy metal for hours and hours in the theatre – everyone would be screaming. So there have to be theatrical songs too. But we’ve obviously got to use the iconic songs from the original show. It would be a shame not to do a Stevie Nicks’ song.”

The show received its world premiere on Broadway in December 2015.

This was the first time since 1971 (Jesus Christ Superstar) that a Lloyd Webber musical would premiere there, rather than in the West End, where it would eventually open in November 2016. Both productions received critical acclaim with the New York version receiving four Tony Award nominations in 2016 and the London version winning a Laurence Oliver Award in 2017 for Outstanding Achievement in Music.

The production has since spawned into touring productions with an an American tour starting in 2017 and an Australasian tour setting out a year later.

CAST PRINCIPALS DEWEY FINN ROSALIE MULLINS NED SCHNEEBLY PATTY DI MARCO

Maximus Woods Anna Smith Kieran Bush Helen Chambers

THE BAND SUMMER HATHAWAY ZAK MOONEYHAM FREDDY HAMILTON TOMIKA KATIE LAWRENCE MARCY SHONELLE BILLY SANDFORD MASON WARD

Holly Clark Tobias Butler Samuel Foss Louisa Hudson Martha Tatnell Callum Davis Louisa Yorke Emily Ferris Matthew Hall Arthur Hodson

TEACHERS MRS STEINKOPF MR NOBLE MR GREEN GABE BROWN MR SANDERS MS GORDON MS MACAPAUGAY

Scarlett Washington Maximilian Reeves Thomas Dolan Thomas Wood Charles Wood Lily Haplin Isabelle Wood

BATTLE OF THE BANDS JEFF SANDERSON SNAKE STANLEY NO VACANCY

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William Ervine Jonty Gillett James Lloyd-Jones Daisy Dallamore Darcy Hanna Harriet Onions

PARENTS MY MOONEYHAM MRS HATHAWAY MR WILLIAMS MRS SPENCER MR SANDFORD MR WARD MRS TURNER

William Atkinson Freya Penfold Tristan Hagerty Lily Halpin Alexander Barry Toby Loy Eliza Averill

ENSEMBLE Katy Barr Reginald Blanchard Daniel Booth Sophie Browning Natasha Croke Freddy Deans Sophie Edwards Avery Fletcher Annabel Hunt Henry Kyd Erin McGregor

Harry Mundell Isla Pickard Elyse Ratcliffe Benjamin Reid Maisey Russell Oscar Sandberg Raphael Shaddick Savannah Taylor Imogen Trott Jemima Wilson Florence Wood

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SYNOPSIS

Act 1

D

ewey Finn, a guitarist for the band No Vacancy, is all rock and roll, except for a couple of key ingredients: fame and glory. In fact, he’s a mess! As the band plays a set at the Olympic Powerhouse, Dewey gets carried away with an improvised solo (I’m Too Hot for You). The next day as Dewey lies asleep, Patty pressures Ned, her boyfriend and Dewey’s former rocker friend, to demand the rent from their roommate and encourage Dewey to get a real adult job. Dewey claims he’s going to pay up by winning Battle of the Bands (When I Climb to the Top of Mount Rock).

Dewey heads to rehearsal only to find he’s been replaced.

He heads to work at a record store but is promptly fired for being late. Dewey, beaten down, answers a phone call from Rosalie Mullins, principal of the most esteemed Horace Green Prep School. She is calling to offer Ned a substitute teaching position. There’s only one reasonable solution for Dewey—pose as Ned, accept the job, and make a little change.

It’s Dewey’s first day at school… and he’s late. Rosalie welcomes Dewey to campus after the school sings the Horace Green Alma Mater, and she informs him of their elite expectations (Here at Horace Green). Dewey meets his pupils who have a lot of questions for their curious new teacher. Unfortunately, Dewey has only one item on his curriculum—recess.

Dewey returns home to find Ned discreetly playing Guitar Hero, and while they play, Dewey tries to convince Ned to join Battle of Bands with him just like the good old days (Children of Rock). Their daydream is abruptly ruined

by Patty returning home from shopping. She then gives Dewey a reality check. Dewey has thirty days to pay his rent, or he has to leave (Mount Rock – Reprise). Dewey returns to school the next day (after missing first period), and he overhears his students playing classical music.

Dewey suddenly understands he must start a band with the students to win Battle of the Bands.

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He begins to assign instruments and roles to each of the students (You’re in the Band). He puts Zak on electric guitar, Katie on bass, Lawrence on the keyboard, Freddie on drums, Marcy and Shonelle on backup vocals, Mason on tech, Billy on style, and Summer as manager (You’re in the Band – Reprise).

The band is complete… almost. Tomika still hasn’t peeped a word, and Lawrence is certain he’s not cool enough to be in the band. Each student has his or her own set of problems to reckon with at home (If Only You Would Listen), but like they say, there’s no crying in rock and roll.

The next day, some of the teachers, including Gabe Brown, begin to speculate about the new music teacher (Faculty Quadrille). Dewey asks permission from Rosalie to take the students on a field trip, but the prospects look grim.

He returns to practice (In the End of Time - Band Practice) and encourages the band (Stick It to the Man), which is interrupted by Rosalie returning to the classroom to confirm that the school administration denied permission for the field trip.

Dewey shows the kids how to truly ‘stick it to the man’, and the band leaves for the first round of competition. The kids arrive on site, and play their first public performance.

Cue drum-roll! The kids rock it out and qualify for Battle of the Bands (In the End of Time – The Audition/Stick It to the Man – Reprise)

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Parents’ meetings are about to begin while the band learns a new song Zak has been playing around with (School of Rock – Band Practice). Their parents stumble upon them just as the kids find their groove, and are shocked that their kids have traded in their books for music. Dewey reminds the parents how incredible their kids actually are. At that very moment, Patty (who learned about Dewey’s substitute teaching from Ned) breaks through the door to reveal Dewey’s true identity.

The parents confront Dewey (Dewey’s Confession), but the kids won’t be stopped; they secretly head over to compete at Battle of the Bands. Mason informs Rosalie that the kids don’t care about Dewey’s real identity. All they care about is that he taught them that rock could set them free. Meanwhile, a bus-full of kids arrive at the apartment to convince Dewey that he’s changed their lives (If Only You Would Listen – Reprise). Dewey knows he has to follow through and leaves to watch the kids rock it out with Ned.

Act 2

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he band is in full rehearsal mode (Time to Play), but there’s one problem: parents’ meetings fall right before the competition. In a moment of inspiration, Tomika rallies enough courage and surprises everyone with a soulful rendition of Amazing Grace. The band has a new front woman!

Unexpectedly, Rosalie pops into the classroom to observe their work, and Dewey pretends to use his so-called “sing-song” method with the students (Maths Is a Wonderful Thing). The pressure’s on.

Dewey asks Rosalie on a date to the Roadhouse where Rosalie reveals that despite her conservative presence, she loves to rock out to Stevie Nicks (Where Did the Rock Go?). She then opens up about wanting to be free in spite of her position. She finally comes around and permits Dewey to press on with his field trip plans The next day at breakfast, Patty excitedly relays a letter to Ned from Horace Greene and quickly leaves for work. Ned discovers it’s a payment from the school and is just about to call the school to clear up the mistake when Dewey realises it’s time to face the music.

The school band arrives late (I’m Too Hot for You – Reprise), and Dewey decides that they should play the song that Zak wrote, even though the band virtually hasn’t practised it. Dewey reminds them performing’s not about playing perfectly, it’s about rocking out with all your heart. The parents arrive and watch the concert from the back of the venue (School of Rock).

The stage is set, the volume is cranked up high, and the kids are ready.

With every bit of heart and soul, the School of Rock delivers a performance that wins over the crowd. And the winner of Battle of the Bands is… No Vacancy. A rowdy crowd erupts in support of the kids, calling them back to the stage for one last encore (Stick It to the Man – Encore). The School of Rock passes with flying colors. Class dismissed (Finale)!

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HORACE GREEN TEACHERS STAFF LIST

MS MACAPAUGAY Isabelle Wood Fourth Form

GABE BROWN Thomas Wood

MRS SHEINKOPF Scarlett Washington Third Form

Third Form

MR GREEN

Thomas Dolan Third Form

MR NOBLE

Maximilian Reeves Third Form

MR SANDERS MS GORDON Lily Halpin

Charles Wood Third Form

Third Form

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THE PARENTS MR MOONEYHAM

William Atkinson, Third Form

MRS HATHAWAY

MR SANDFORD

MR WILLIAMS

MR WARD

MRS SPENCER

MRS TURNER

Freya Penfold, Third Form Tristan Hagerty, Fourth Form Lily Halpin, Third Form

Alexander Barry, Fourth Form Toby Loy, Third Form Elizabeth Averill, Third Form

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NO VACANCY Darcy HANNA First Form

Daisy Dallam ore

Harriet ONION S Second Form

First Form

“WE HAVE WORKED

SO HARD

STANLEY st Form -Jones, Fir James Lloyd

TO PRODUCE THIS FR OM THE START OF THE YEAR BUT WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT TH

HELP AND E

JEFF SANDERSO N William Ervine, Third Form

ENCOURAGEMENT

FROM MR FEWSON, MRS BUCKLAND AND MR SOMAN. William Ervine Third Form

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SNAKE Jonty Gillett, First Form

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KATY BARR

Second Form

NATASHA CROKE

Second Form

ANNABEL HUNT

Second Form

REGINALD BLANCHARD

Second Form

FREDDY DEANS

First Form

HENRY KYD

Second Form

DANIEL BOOTH

Second Form

sophie edwards

Second Form

ERIN MCGREGOR

First Form

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SOPHIE BROWNING

Second Form

AVERY FLETCHER

First Form

HARRY MUNDELL

Second Form

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ISLA PICKARD

First Form

OSCAR SANDBERG

Second Form

ELYSE RATCLIFFE

First Form

RAPHAEL SHADDICK

First Form

BENJAMIN REID

Second Form

SAVANNAH TAYLOR

Second Form

MAISEY RUSSELL

Second Form

IMOGEN TROTT

First Form

ENSEMBLE CAST JEMIMA WILSON

First Form

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FLORENCE WOOD

First Form

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DIRECTOR’S NOTES Mr B Fewson te “We learNed more from a three miNu ol.” record thaN we ever learNed iN scho BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

I

t could certainly be said that my choice for my first foray into the world of junior productions is a touch ambitious… An iconic movie, re-written for the stage by two of the most successful and wellin loved writers, as it continues to delight audiences this that said be not could the West End to this day. It l, piece is obscure! Since before my time at the Schoo the culture has been to be ambitious; to set the bar as high as possible and every time, our students have risen to the task. This (hopefully) is another one of those instances. The opportunity presented to the cast here, no matter what their role, is to enjoy being part of a show that will live long in the memory.

The original movie was widely acclaimed, particularly for Jack Black’s exuberant portrayal of Dewey Finn; a lovable loser who somehow talks himself into teaching at a leading prep school.With the musical, the challenge to the writers, Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Julian Fellowes was to pull as many of the underlying themes to the forefront as well as create a role that is not a poor imitation of Black’s performance.

In the spirit of this, Max has had the freedom to The piece itself is about expression, individuality and travel his own path with this character. I have been freedom, despite what the expectations of others blown away with the level of professionalism shown may be. It is a truly thought-provoking and enjoyable by such a relatively young actor. I really hope he exploration of the choices that are forced upon us great e does his excellent work justice by putting on a and what we could do if we had the power to chang been has ss proce The g. evenin y show for you this that direction. Structure, discipline and responsibilit staff the of All nging. challe and ding rewar sely immen are admirable. These are the values that are being the students give to hard so d worke have ed involv ver, instilled in the children at Horace Green. Howe the opportunity to give their best this evening. The when the shambling, unfiltered Dewey Finn enters students have surprised me hugely. I have been it only goes to show that the students have lost t pleasantly surprised by their level of commitmen some of their individuality, passion and creativity. in them stand will hope, and focus throughout. All, I It is the basis for the comedy, and also shows that good stead for tonight, other shows and beyond into from gained y nsibilit respo Finn himself needs the their later lives. the institution just as much as the students need his creative freedom.

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productiON charity

O

ver the past five years, the School’s connections with Nepal have continued to develop, notably through the successful fundraising campaign to reconstruct the Tamang Karkha School which had been devastated by the April 2015 earthquake. In February 2017, the Headmaster and Dr Grindlay travelled to Nepal to open the rebuilt school, and spent time in the village seeing the impact that our fundraising had on the local community.

That trip was followed by a two-week adventure for 30 Sutton Valence pupils to the village of Aspakdi, Bhanumati in December 2017.There, the group was graciously welcomed into the local Nepalese community.

In both Tamang Kharka (Dhading District) and Aspakdi (Tanahun District), a lack of social facilities is apparent, and in order to reinforce the bond between our community and theirs, we have volunteered to assist with funding the construction of two community centres, one for each village. Both structures will provide accommodation for visitors and also enable the villagers to have an area where they can cook and come together as a community.

A collection in support of the charity will be taken as you leave the Theatre at the end of the show.

MUSICAL DIRECTOR

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chool of Rock will be the final SVS production for our Musical Director, Jonathan Soman. Having started at the School as the Assistant Director of Music in 2013, Mr Soman has been an intrinsic part of musical productions at the School ever since. As well as School of Rock, his other junior productions have included Grease (June 2014) and Mulan (June 2017, but he will be best remembered for the blockbuster senior productions of Les MisĂŠrables (January 2016) and Chicago (January 2018).

Mr Soman leaves us to take up the post of Director of Music at the Royal Grammar School,Worcester. The Drama department here at Sutton Valence has benefited immeasurably from his wealth of musical expertise, exuberance and enthusiasm and we wish him all the best in his new role.

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PRODUCTION TEAM DIRECTORIAL Director

Mr B Fewson

Assistant Director

Mrs K Buckland

Choreographer

Mrs A Howell

Musical Director

Mr J Soman

Vocal Coaches

Mrs A Holmes Mr D Moulton

TECHNICAL Production Design

Mr J Mitchell

Sound Design

Mr S Allen

Stage Manager

Mrs K Buckland

Deputy Stage Manager

Charlotte Gilman

Backstage Crew Haydn Fletcher

Harry Henderson

Libbie McNamara

Mario Wu

HOUSE baNd

FRONT OF HOUSE Front of House Manager

Mr W Radford

Front of House

Mrs F Gosden Miss L Gray Mrs E Head Mrs C Kitchen Mrs S O’Connell Mrs B Palmer Mr C F Rose Mrs S Rose

BOX OFFICE

Programme Design Mr W Radford

Piano

Mr J Soman

Programme Photography

Mr J Davis Mr J Lockwood

Guitar

Finn Swaine

Programme Printing

Stagg Creative

Bass Guitar

Elizabeth Drummond

Drums

George Abrehart

Ticketing and Publicity

Mr W Radford Mrs W Rogers

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