School of Rock – The Musical
★★★★★ Unstoppable
Broughton High School (Venue 318): Sat 2 – Sat 9 Aug 2025
Review by Hugh Simpson
School of Rock – The Musical from Forth Children’s Theatre is only on at Broughton High School for the first week of the Fringe but you really owe it to yourself to see it if you can.
There is so much talent, ambition and care throughout the production that the end result is simply exceptional.
The 2015 musical (book by Julian Fellowes, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater) is based on the 2003 Richard Linklater film, written by Mike White and starring Jack Black.
Nathan Fisher and Joseph Coane. Pic: FCT
Dewey Finn, a wannabe rock star, takes advantage of his friend Ned Schneebly’s invitation to be a substitute teacher at a prestigious private school. The fake Mr Schneebly then forms a group with its students to compete in a local Battle of the Bands.
It’s a rather silly affair, and could easily start to annoy if it isn’t done with the maximum of energy and commitment. There certainly can’t be any criticism of either here.
In particular, Dewey is potentially a somewhat dislikeable lead character – irresponsible, dishonest, and far less aware than his students of practically everything. But he is portrayed by Joseph Coane with such drive, presence and sheer conviction that he convinces completely.
simply breathtaking
The musical is unusual in that it has been licensed to be performed by groups of youngsters before an adult amateur licence has been issued. This may be because the show depends on large numbers of young performers. Here, a huge cast seems even bigger at times as they play Dewey’s students, their parents, the teachers and sundry other adults.
The stage is full, with the ensemble numbers being simply breathtaking. Taylor Doig’s choreography (assisted by Mirrin Macleay) is inventive and challenging, and is performed by the cast stunningly. The chorus routines are not just impressively danced and sung for a group of youngsters, they are brilliant by any standard you care to name.
Lauren Gardner, Freya Jardine and Lily Welsh. Pic: FCT
Director Kayleigh MacDonald similarly has a firm command of proceedings. The whole thing is suffused with energy, and what could be a long show simply flies by. Musical Director Evie Alberti is also completely in command (assisted by Jack Gardner and Eric Rogers, who make up the offstage band with Shubbe Kabanda, Kosmas Papadopoulos, Ben White, Theodore Fuller and Steph White).
The onstage band are no slouches either. The challenge of acting, singing and playing is a huge one. Guitarist Zack (Nathan Fisher), bassist Katie (Megan Hill), drummer Freddie (Kharim Mather) and keyboard player Lawrie (Bibi Coane) are all extremely skilled in every element of their performance.
There is such ebullience and spirit throughout the cast that it is impossible to leave anyone out. Emily Knowles shines as Tomika, a shy student with a huge voice, while Sophia Affleck, Farrah MacDonald, Sam Gill, Olly Freeman-Ferguson, Isla McGuire and Kiera Swain are all thoroughly accomplished as the various other students who take roles in the false Schneebly’s plans. Iona Irving’s depiction of the self-righteous Summer is extremely effective.
noteworthy
Those who play the older roles are no less noteworthy. Lauren Gardner’s rendition of Where Did The Rock Go? as school principal Rosalie Mullins is genuinely showstopping, while Lara Shanks and Evie Hudson are engaging as the real Ned and his exasperated partner Patty.
Tuneful Maia Baxter, Elspeth Renton, Rachael MacPherson and Ninarosa Gunson-Milne are tremendous as Dewey’s erstwhile bandmates, while the poised Orla Harrison, Cat Steele, Jac Simpson-Hobbs, Molly Duncan, Freya Jardine, Lily Welsh, Ayda Alcorn, Anna MacLauchlin, Sam Hunter, Imogen Stewart, Eve Houldcroft, Eve Turnbull, Hariot Currie-Mullan and Clodagh Macleay all play named roles with distinction. The ensemble is completed by excellent featured dancers Jess Taylor, Laila Wright, Emma Bradley, Emma Swain and Isla Swain.
Joseph Coane with the cast of School of Rock – The Musical. Pic: FCT
The principal performers often play more than one role, and the end result is astonishing, not least in the astonishingly consistent accents.
The only drawback to such a huge cast is an occasional delay in mic-switching, but this is a very minor glitch in a show that is technically hugely impressive. Sound and lighting are handled by Callum Farrell, Owen Droudge and Caroline Richardson.
Any of the potential pitfalls are overcome with grace and economy. Roles are suitably renamed or cast to reflect the available performers, while scene changes are done with enviable speed and dexterity.
The whole show cleverly juggles full-on loudness (where the sound remains impeccable) and quieter moments as it builds up a momentum, particularly in the second half, that is utterly unstoppable.
Running time: Two hours and 35 minutes (including one interval).
Broughton High School (Main Theatre), 29 East Fettes Ave, EH4 1EG (Venue 318).
Saturday 2 – Saturday 9 August 2025.
Tue – Sat: 7pm; Sat, Sun, Wed: 2pm.
Tickets and details: Book here on EdFringe.com.
FCT website: www.forthchildrenstheatre.org/
Facebook: @forthchildrenstheatre
Instagram: @forthchildrenstheatre
TikTok: @forthchildrenstheatre
ENDS
