School of Rock in Eastbourne: uplifting comedy and face-melting guitar riffs

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit West End and Broadway musical School of Rock is set to embark on its first UK tour from February next year.
School Of Rock. Photo by Tristram KentonSchool Of Rock. Photo by Tristram Kenton
School Of Rock. Photo by Tristram Kenton

Now the Congress Theatre has revealed that the show will stop off in Eastbourne from August 10-14, 2021 (7.30pm, Thursday and Saturday matinees 2.30pm).

Tickets for this high-energy production are available from eastbournetheatres.co.uk. Please do not call the box office at this time.

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An Eastbourne Theatres spokesperson said: “Based on the hilarious hit movie, the new musical follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn a few extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school.

School Of Rock. Photo by Tristram KentonSchool Of Rock. Photo by Tristram Kenton
School Of Rock. Photo by Tristram Kenton

“There he turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band – sensationally performed live by the production’s young actors every night with roof-raising energy!

“While teaching these pint-sized prodigies what it means to truly rock, Dewey falls for the school’s beautiful, but uptight, headmistress helping her rediscover the wild child within.

“Featuring 14 new songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber and all the original songs from the movie including ‘Time to Play’, ‘Where Did the Rock Go’ and ‘Stick it to the Man’, this high-octane smash delivers face-melting guitar riffs.

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“The production opened at the New London Theatre (now the Gillian Lynne Theatre) in November 2016 to five-star reviews and widespread critical acclaim. It went on to win the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music. It features lyrics by Glenn Slater (The Little Mermaid, Sister Act) and a book by Julian Fellowes creator, writer and executive producer of Downton Abbey, which has received 69 Emmy Award nominations, winning 15, including two awards for Fellowes.

“Andrew Lloyd Webber is the composer of some of the world’s best known musicals including Cats, Evita, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Phantom of the Opera (which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary) and Sunset Boulevard.

“His awards, both as composer and producer, include seven Tonys, seven Oliviers, a Golden Globe, an Oscar, the Praemium Imperiale, the Richard Rodgers Award for Excellence in Musical Theatre, a BASCA Fellowship, the Kennedy Center Honor and a Grammy for Best Contemporary Classical Composition for Requiem.

“He was knighted by Her Majesty The Queen in 1992 and created an honorary member of the House of Lords in 1997. He is passionate about the importance of music in education and the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation has become one of Britain’s leading charities supporting the arts and music.

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“It’s time to play! Book now and join School of Rock at the Congress Theatre from August 10-14, 2021. Tickets from £25.50 are currently only available to book online at eastbournetheatres.co.uk (with view from seat and print-at-home options).

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