School Of Rock, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new musical that has recently smashed Broadway box office records, has moved its West End première to spring 2017.
The stage adaptation of the hit Jack Black film had previously been expected to open at the London Palladium in autumn 2016.
The show’s production team will use the new year to scour the UK in search of the initial cast of 39 child performers who will sing, dance, act and play their own instruments as the hit musical’s unexpectedly talented school class.
School Of Rock, which stars Alex Brightman and Sierra Boggess on Broadway, tells the story of Dewey Finn, a failed wannabe rock star who finds himself out of his depth, teaching at a very posh school. Discovering an unknown musical talent in his pupils, he enrols his new charges in a Battle of the Bands.
The new musical, which features music by Lloyd Webber and a book by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, recently broke records at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre, taking more than US$1.5 million in Christmas week.
Speaking about his new show, Lloyd Webber said: “I had forgotten what it was to have this kind of hit. It is particularly great as we have no star names and we are witnessing personal triumphs for our brilliant kids and for Alex Brightman as Dewey, the role made famous by Jack Black. Now our team will begin searching across the UK for talented children to star in the West End transfer.”