School of Rock review
There are some productions that entertain an audience and there are others that leave you grinning from start to finish. Cyfarthfa High School’s production of School of Rock certainly did the latter. For several nights, the school hall was transformed into Horace Green, and the audience was transported into a world of rock music, friendship and a healthy dose of chaos.
Based on the much-loved film, School of Rock follows struggling musician Dewey Finn, who finds himself teaching at a prestigious school and unexpectedly discovers that his class of high-achieving students have hidden musical talents. What follows is a heartwarming story about believing in yourself and having the courage to step outside your comfort zone.
Leading the cast was Gruffudd Bennett as Dewey Finn. Taking on such an iconic role is no easy task, but Gruffudd threw himself into it completely. He had the audience laughing from his very first entrance and brought an energy to the stage that never dipped for a second. Whether delivering one of Dewey’s outrageous one-liners or encouraging his students to embrace rock and roll, he made the character his own and carried the show with confidence and charm.
Alongside him, Lily-Beth McGovern gave a lovely performance as Rosalie Mullins. Beginning the show as the stern and highly organised headteacher, she gradually revealed Rosalie’s softer side and did so with great warmth and maturity. Her scenes with Gruffudd were some of the highlights of the evening and their chemistry on stage was completely believable.
Rhys Willoughby brought plenty of humour to the role of Ned Schneebly. He was instantly likeable and played the long-suffering friend brilliantly, providing some genuinely funny moments throughout the production. Ruby Price was equally entertaining as Patti, embracing every ounce of the character’s fiery personality. She delivered her lines with confidence and commitment, earning plenty of laughs from the audience.
What made this production particularly special, however, was the ensemble of pupils who made up the students of Horace Green. It is easy to forget just how young some of these performers are when you watch the level of confidence and professionalism they displayed on stage. Every pupil played their part in bringing the story to life. Their enthusiasm was infectious and their commitment never wavered. Whether singing, acting or performing in the band, they gave everything they had and looked like they were having the time of their lives.
Productions like this do not happen by accident. They are built on months of rehearsals, dedication and teamwork from pupils and staff alike. Every member of the cast and crew should be incredibly proud of what they achieved. As the final bows were taken and the applause filled the hall, it was impossible not to feel proud of what these young people had accomplished.
School of Rock is a story about finding confidence and discovering talents you never knew you had. Judging by this production, Cyfarthfa High School has no shortage of talented young people ready to take centre stage. The cast may have been made up of school pupils, but for those few nights they looked every bit like a company of seasoned performers. Judging by the standing ovation that filled the hall, this cast proved that if you’re “in the band”, anything is possible. #CyfarthfaFamily #TeuluCyfarthfa
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🌟 Introducing Our Year 11 Senior Team for 2026 🌟
We are delighted to announce our Year 11 Senior Team for 2026. These students have shown commitment, leadership, and a genuine dedication to our school community, and we are excited to see all they will achieve in their roles.
⭐ Head Boy: Zac
⭐ Head Girl: Emilie
⭐ Deputy Head Boys: Oliver and Gruffudd
⭐ Deputy Head Girls: Sofia and Eva
🌟 Senior Prefects:
• Amelia
• Isabelle
• Lily
• Lois
• Macsen
• Isabelle
• Maddie
• Safiya
Congratulations to each member of our Senior Team. We are incredibly proud of you and look forward to seeing you lead, inspire, and make a positive difference throughout the year ahead. #SeniorTeam2026 #StudentLeadership #ProudSchoolCommunity #CyfarthfaFamily #TeuluCyfarthfa
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