School of Rock to open at the New London Theatre

As previously reported Andrew Lloyd Webber's Tony nominated new musical School of Rock will transfer to the West End, opening at the New London Theatre on 14 November 2016, following previews from 24 October 2016.

The production was initially rumoured to open at the London Palladium in later 2016, before it was pushed back to Spring 2017. Following the early closure of the New London Theatre's current tenant, Show Boat, which sails out of London on 27 August 2016, School of Rock will instead take its place.

The venue holds much significance to composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, as it was home to his highly successful and London running original production of Cats which ran at the venue for 21 years, from 1981 to 2002.

School of Rock is based on the 2003 film of the same title and features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Glenn Slater and a book by Julian Fellowes. The production 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.

The Broadway production is currently running at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York, where it began previews on 9 November, and officially opened on 6 December 2015. The show received strong reviews from critics, with many praising the screen-to-stage adaptation, and rock-infused score by Lloyd Webber.

"In School of Rock - The Musical, 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."

School of Rock is produced on Broadway by Andrew Lloyd Webber for The Really Useful Group, Warner Music Group & Access Industries, The Shubert Organization and The Nederlander Organization.

The production was recently nominated for the Tony Award for Best New Musical, alongside Best Actor in a musical for leading man Alex Brightman.

Read more about the creation of the show in our interview with the Tony nominated book writer, and creator of 'Downton Abbey', Julian Fellowes by clicking here.

Tickets for the London production of School of Rock will be available on Wednesday 25 May by clicking here.