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School of Rock 2016

Run Time:
Two hours and 15 minutes, with one interval,Two hours and 15 minutes, with one interval
Ages: 8+
Opened: November 14, 2016
Closing: March 01, 2020

School of Rock - 2016 West End History , Info & More

London Palladium
8 Argyll St, Soho London

Down-on-his-luck wannabe rock star Dewey Finn poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school to make ends meet. When he discovers his students' musical talents, he enlists his fifth-graders to form a rock group and conquer the Battle of the Bands.

Based on the smash hit 2003 film of the same title, School of Rock features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Glenn Slater and a book by Julian Fellowes. School of Rock - The Musical is directed by Laurence Connor with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter, set and costume designs by Anna Louizos,lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Mick Potter, music supervision by Ethan Popp and hair design by Josh Marquette.


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SCHOOL OF ROCK UK Tour Launches Online Search For Talented Young Musicians
by Stephi Wild - May 21, 2020


School of Rock a?" The Musical is launching an online search for talented young musicians.

SCHOOL OF ROCK West End To Close This March
by A.A. Cristi - January 9, 2020


The West End production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musical School of Rock is set to play its final performance on March 1, 2020.

BWW Review: SCHOOL OF ROCK at Charlotte Theater, 'Get Ready to Rock, South Korea!'
by Jimin Lee - July 22, 2019


"The School of Rock!" as the introduction blared out through the speakers, kids rocking school uniforms holding instruments the size of their bodies ran out to the stage. The familiar tune of "School of Rock (Teacher's Pet)" began to play and I was instantly brought back to my elementary school sixth-grade classroom, the first place I was encountered with the original movie version of SCHOOL OF ROCK. This movie was probably the first movie with rock music that I have ever watched and the whole concept of a band consisted of prestigious young students was fascinating to the 12-year-old me. Therefore watching SCHOOL OF ROCK the Musical was something that I was looking forward to. Luckily, the world tour of SCHOOL OF ROCK stopped by in Korea to perform in three major cities, having its first performance in Seoul on June 7th.

Noel Sullivan Joins West End Cast Of SCHOOL OF ROCK THE MUSICAL
by Stephi Wild - June 28, 2019


Noel Sullivan will join the award-winning show School of Rock - The Musical from 19 August 2019 and will play the lead role of Dewey Finn at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. The hit West End production, based on the iconic film of the same title, is currently booking to January 2020.

BWW Review: SCHOOL OF ROCK at Times Union Performing Arts Center
by Jordan Higginbotham - April 18, 2019


Class is in session at the School of Rock and they're teaching Jacksonville all about rock-n-roll! The musical featuring music from Tony Award winner Andrew Lloyd Webber, is based on the 2003 movie School of Rock. The musical follows a man, Dewey Finn (Merritt David Janes), as he impersonates his best friend Ned Schneebly as a substitute teacher at Horace Green. When Dewey realizes he is in way over his head, he hears his students playing classical music. He decides he will teach them about rock-n-roll, and they will compete in 'The Battle of the Bands.' The musical displays amazing music, a great story, and life lessons for everyone to take away.

Photo Flash: SCHOOL OF ROCK Celebrates 1,000 Performances in London
by Stephi Wild - March 7, 2019


Last night (6 March 2019), Andrew Lloyd Webber's award-winning show School of Rock - The Musical celebrated its 1000th performance in the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. The cast were joined in the celebrations by Julian Fellowes, who wrote the book for the show, director Laurence Connor and the show's choreographer JoAnn M. Hunter, as well as VIP guests.

New Kids Cast Announced For SCHOOL OF ROCK As Show Celebrates 1000 West End Performances
by Stephi Wild - February 7, 2019


On 23 February 2019 Andrew Lloyd Webber's award-winning show School of Rock - The Musical will welcome a new kids cast to join Dewey's band and embrace the power of rock! The hit West End production, based on the iconic film of the same title which this month celebrated 15 years since its UK release, is now booking to January 2020 at the Gillian Lynne Theatre and on 6 March will celebrate 1000 performances.

BWW Review: SCHOOL OF ROCK, Well, Rocks at Clowes Memorial Hall
by The Marriage Matinee - January 31, 2019


SCHOOL OF ROCK is a musical about rebellion, the mantra of "sticking it to The Man", of children finding their voice in a controlled and advantaged setting and finding their courage to rise up.

BWW Review: TIME FOR ADULTS TO GET SCHOOLED: DEIDRE LANG at Clowes Memorial Hall
by The Marriage Matinee - January 26, 2019


We had the privilege of speaking with Deidre Lang, who plays Ms. Sheinkopf in the upcoming touring production of School of Rock, and she had quite a few reasons why we all need to go back to school. She reflected with us on what this show can mean as something beyond a musical, which predominantly features kids, and how it can speak to us as adults.

BWW Interview: Mystic Inscho as Zack in SCHOOL OF ROCK
by Kathy Strain - October 25, 2018


SCHOOL OF ROCK has been getting positive reviews everywhere they perform. The story is fun, the music is entertaining and the actors blow your mind when you see them giving their all to the show. One actor, Mystic Inscho, plays the role of Zack as SCHOOL OF ROCK tours around North America. At the young age of 9, Inscho is already mastered the piano and guitar. As SCHOOL OF ROCK prepares to shred it up at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio, Texas, BWW had a chance to learn more about the young man who plays Zack and what life on the road is like.

BWW Review: Music City Falls in Love With Lloyd-Webber's SCHOOL OF ROCK
by Jeffrey Ellis - September 12, 2018


Make no mistake about it: School of Rock isn't your mum's - nor your nan's - Andrew Lloyd Webber musical extravaganza. There are no massive chandeliers to come crashing into the orchestra, no fascist dictators to fear, no silent screen divas yearning for a comeback, nor are there are any human-sized felines staring at you across the footlights. Nope, Sir Andrew (as he's known across the pond) has crafted an energetic rock musical that's based on a movie that starred Jack Black and it will rock your freakin' socks off!

Craig Gallivan and the New Cast of SCHOOL OF ROCK Take the Stage Beginning Today!
by BWW News Desk - August 22, 2018


From 22 August 2018, term will begin for the year three cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Olivier award-winning production of School of Rock - The Musical at the newly named Gillian Lynne Theatre. Today sees the release of a further 350,000 tickets for this hit West End production, now booking to 20 October 2019. Based on the iconic film of the same title, School of Rock - The Musical sees the kids from Dewey's band compete in the legendary Battle of the Bands and embrace the power of rock!

Craig Gallivan and the New Cast of SCHOOL OF ROCK Take the Stage Next Month
by Stephi Wild - July 13, 2018


From 22 August 2018, term will begin for the year three cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Olivier award-winning production of School of Rock - The Musical at the newly named Gillian Lynne Theatre. Today sees the release of a further 350,000 tickets for this hit West End production, now booking to 20 October 2019. Based on the iconic film of the same title, School of Rock - The Musical sees the kids from Dewey's band compete in the legendary Battle of the Bands and embrace the power of rock!

SCHOOL OF ROCK to Hold Kids' Auditions in London
by Stephi Wild - May 4, 2018


Continuing the countrywide search for the opportunity to 'join the band', further kids open auditions will take place later this year in London on 16 and 17 May for musicians and on 21 and 23 May for ensemble, in Plymouth on 8 September and in Manchester on 22 September 2018. If you are between 8 - 12 years old and play a rock instrument (guitar, bass, piano, and/or drums) or sing, registration and further details can be found by contacting Jessica Ronane Casting

TV: Meet The New Kids In SCHOOL OF ROCK
by Jamie Body - April 6, 2018


We sat down for an exclusive chat with Steve Leask, who plays leading man Dewey Finn in the West End production of School of Rock, and two of the newest rock stars in the cast: 12-year-old Gus Graham, who plays Lawrence, and 11-year-old Tahlia Colbourne, who plays Tomika. 

New Kids Cast Joins West End's SCHOOL OF ROCK
by Stephi Wild - February 2, 2018


Before school's out this February half term, Andrew Lloyd Webber announces that later this month (24 February 2018) he will welcome a new group of kids to his Olivier award-winning production of School of Rock - The Musical. Continuing in the West End at the New London Theatre, School of Rock - The Musical is currently booking to 13 January 2019. In October this year an Australian production will open at Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne, a Broadway production continues at the Winter Garden Theatre and the US national touring production is currently booking to September 2018.

Photo: SCHOOL OF ROCK Celebrates 500 Performances on the West End
by Stephi Wild - December 30, 2017


This evening (30 December 2017) the West End production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's School of Rock The Musical celebrated 500 performances at the New London Theatre. The kids and adult cast gathered on stage before the milestone performance to celebrate the show's achievement. Check out the image here!

VIDEO: PVRIS Swap Stories with the Kids from West End's SCHOOL OF ROCK
by BWW News Desk - December 8, 2017


Last week, before their performance at the 02 Brixton Academy, PVRIS (Alex Babinski, Lynn Gunn and Brian Macdonald) visited the New London Theatre to swap rock stories and meet with the kids cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber's School of Rock - The Musical. Imogen Bowden, Annabel Gracey, Milano Preston and Phoenix Taylor performed a special rendition of 'Teacher's Pet' from the show and chatted to PVRIS performing on stage and the perks of being a rock star - check it out in the video below!

SCHOOL OF ROCK THE MUSICAL To Host BBC Radio 2 Children In Need Gala
by BWW News Desk - August 28, 2017


On 6 November 2017, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Oliver award-wining School of Rock will host this year's BBC Radio 2's BBC Children in Need Gala at the New London Theatre.

SCHOOL OF ROCK Extends West End Run; Booking Now Through 2019
by A.A. Cristi - August 4, 2017


Later this month (26 August 2017) Andrew Lloyd Webber will welcome a new group of kids to his Olivier award-winning production of School of Rock - The Musical at the New London Theatre.  Acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, the record breaking West End production of School of Rock - The Musical opened to rave reviews and in April this year the show's 'kids' cast, who play live music on stage at each performance, were the recipients of the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music. 

Photo Flash: SCHOOL OF ROCK Teaches Lesson with an Edge at WEST END LIVE 2017
by BWW News Desk - June 27, 2017


The West End's free outdoor extravaganza West End Live 2017 took place over the weekend, and BroadwayWorld has more photos featuring the cast of SCHOOL OF ROCK performing as part of the thrilling outdoor experience below!

VIDEO: SCHOOL OF ROCK is in Session at West End Live
by Julie Musbach - June 25, 2017


The West End's free outdoor extravaganza West End Live 2017 comes to a close today. School may be out for the summer, but the School of Rock is just starting to heat up!

BWW Interview: Gary Trainor Talks Leading SCHOOL OF ROCK
by Marianka Swain - June 5, 2017


Actor Gary Trainor, whose past work includes the West End productions of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, I Can't Sing and The Shawshank Redemption, has been playing the role of alternate Dewey in School of Rock since its London premiere. He's now leading the cast as Dewey.

School of Rock History

Other Productions of School of Rock

2015   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
2016   West End Original West End Production
West End
2017   US Tour First National Tour
US Tour

School of Rock - 2016 West End Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
2017 Olivier Awards Best Actor in a Musical David Fynn

Videos