After their visit to London to watch the live stage version of School of Rock, staff and students welcomed West End star Joel Montague to Queen’s Park High School in Handbridge.
Joel had previously visited and supported the school when he worked on the West End production of Billy Elliot.
Since then he has gone on to star in shows such as Funny Girl, The Producers, Sister Act and, most recently, School of Rock.
He is also artistic director of his own production company, Curtain Call Productions, which is based in Crewe.
Joel delivered both a practical workshop and a wide ranging Q&A session with many of the cast of Queen’s Park’s own production of School of Rock, which begins its run in February.
Having just starred in the roles as Dewey and Mr Hamilton in the show, Joel is exceptionally well positioned to support the cast. He watched rehearsals and made several characterisation suggestions in a number of the scenes.
Year 13 student Eve Lawlor, who will play the role of Rosalie Mullins, said: “It was absolutely amazing to have a member of the West End cast working with us.
“He has really helped us to appreciate the intricacies of gestures and how to pull the comedy out of a script.”
Eve’s admiration for the workshop was matched by Liam Ramsden, also in Year 13, who plays the role of Dewey Finn, a role made famous by Jack Black in the feature film and played by Joel himself in the recent stage show.
Liam said: “To work with someone who has been in the role for the past eight months is a real privilege – I am so lucky to have had this unique opportunity.”
Lead practitioner at the school Matt Yeoman, who is responsible for organising and directing the performance, said: “Bridging the gap between what students dream of becoming and what is actually achievable, is what we try to do here, at all times, in everything we do.
“Opening doors for our young people and showing them just what they are capable of, is the best way of driving forward talent and ability.
“Self-motivation and drive are key for anyone to become the very best they can be.
“We are always looking to make links with the professional world as it is, after all, what we are preparing our students for.”
Queen’s Park High School’s production of School of Rock runs from Tuesday, February 13 to Friday, February 16, at 7pm each night.
Tickets priced £7 are on sale now from www.yourboxoffice.co.uk.
