CentreStage Productions Youth Theatre 
The Point, Eastleigh
David A Putley
29 July 2026
Based on the hit film starring Jack Black, this Andrew Lloyd-Webber written musical adaption including a book by Mr Downton himself, Julian Fellowes, follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star as he is propelled in false identity as a substitute teacher at Horace Green, a prestigious prep school. There, he turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-playing, piano and drum rock band. While teaching these strait-laced pupils what it means to truly “rock”, Dewey ends up falling for the uptight headmistress, helping her rediscover the wild child within and his and everyone else’s purpose.
A show of various journeys directed with the usual flare and understanding by Mike Mullen together with a dedicated and talented team producing high class entertainment.
As Dewey, Samuel Fitsimmons produces a powerhouse performance excellently revealing an irritating persona and slowly moving towards his ultimate redemption. His scene with the equally impressive Rosalie Swan as Mis Mullens in the 2nd Act was electric and beautifully performed by both of them. A real highlight of the show and gave it a real heart. Both performers gave their exceptional all in vocal performance and stage presence.
The choreography by Summer Hughes was superb and sharp throughout and energetically performed by all the pupils. Use of whole stage by children of all ages was pure joy to watch, especially the Stick It to the Man number.
Quiter moments were also well placed. The gathering into spotlights or the If Only You Would Listen number was movingly executed, showing the division of wealthy parents abandoning their children at the school without really knowing “them”. The Teacher’s faculty Quadrille was equally well done.
Lara Missouri shone as Summer Hathaway, holding her own amongst a stage of good performances with real characterisation and standing. Wakhile Mthetwa revealed great vocals whilst Canon Delmege, Lily Betterton, Amelie Kenny-Williams, Jake Stewart and Daniel Lloyd-Webster, all acting dancing and playing guitars and drums etc showed incredible talent at such young ages. Indeed, all the pupils showed great stage discipline, characterisation and unity.
Luke Sharples and Ash Liston provided well timed humour and polished performances as Ned Shneebly and Patti Di Marco. What could have been just shouting matches was actually well-acted frustration. The resolution of their partnership journey was done very nicely.
A couple of opening night blips, mainly involving some complicated scene changes, slowed the pace a little but did nothing to detract from the high standard of performance. Sound balance for some vocals against some of the rockier underplay will no doubt also be sorted. Lighting throughout was sensitively designed and utilised.
Ian Partridge and Rachael Thorpe provided the usual high standard in orchestra and musicianship for CPYT, keeping all the cast on track from the opening band to the exuberance of the finale: they all really rocked.
As with all the shows put on by CPYT everyone on stage has their own character. This must give would be performers such an education in stage craft-and it shows. What everyone does on stage matters – somebody somewhere is looking at you.
This particular show demands clarity in a beginning and end for everyone’s journey on stage: be it finding purpose, parental overshadowing becoming pride, relationships re-stabilising through understanding, this was all on show and the difference in approach from the 1st to the 2nd half was quite palpable.
An ensemble show in many ways, the sheer happiness of each individual on that stage was infectious leading to the well deserved standing ovation at the end.
