School of Rock

New cast announced for Andrew Lloyd Webber's School of Rock in the West End

Will Longman
Will Longman

A new West End cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical School of Rock has been announced.

The cast, which started rehearsals today, includes alternate Stephen Leask stepping up to lead the cast in the the role of Dewey Finn, a lazy layabout who poses as a substitute teacher and forms a rock band which his class of 10-year olds, from 15th November.

Alan Pearson will play Ned Schneebly, Dewey's friend and the teacher Dewey pretends to be, with current ensemble member Michelle Francis playing Patty Di Marco, Ned's wife. Craig Gallivan will play the alternate Dewey Finn and Florence Andrews will continue as the school's principal Rosalie Mullins.

Stephen Leask's previous theatre credits include One Man, Two Guvnors at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, Troilus and Cressida for the Royal Shakespeare Company and Potted Panto at the Vaudeville Theatre.

Andrew Lloyd Webber adapted the musical from the 2003 film of the same name, which starred actor Jack Black as Dewey Finn. The stage version includes songs such as "Stick It to the Man" and "You're In The Band", as well as the original number "School of Rock (Teacher's Pet)" from the film.

The cast of the musical also features ensemble members Nick Butcher, Cassandra McCowan, Jessica Louise Parkinson, Andy Rees, Cameron Sharp, Jake Sharp, James Smoker, Wendy Somerville, Andrew Spillett, Hannah Stratton and Alex Tomkins with swings, Paul Kemble, Laura Medforth, Billy Mitchell, Tasha Sheridan and Joshua St. Clair.

Open auditions will also be held in London to find children to perform in the musical. Producers are looking for children between 8 and 12 years old who play drums, keys, electric guitar or bass guitar to attend auditions in London on 8th, 10th, 20th and 22nd November. Visit the School of Rock website for more information.

School of Rock is currently booking in the West End at the New London Theatre until 13th January 2019.

School of Rock Tickets are available now. 

Originally published on

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