SOME of Launceston’s future performers are set to be ‘way hardcore’ as they step on stage to put on their latest production of School of Rock.

Launceston Youth Music Theatre (LYMT) is set to test audiences’ ‘head, mind and brain too’ as it’s talented members prepare to perform the stage adaptation of the popular Jack Black film, School of Rock.

The production follows the group’s successful run of Legally Blonde in February 2025.

Hoping to create buzz across the community, the group’s leaders knew that their next show needed to be even bigger than the last.

Director of the production, Oliver Midwinter told the Post: “We needed a production which included both out Intermediate and Senior groups of students where they would be able to work and play off each others varied experiences. After our successful production of Legally Blonde in February 2025, we knew we needed to hit the ground running and make something memorable. We landed on the guitar ringing, bass pumping, feel good musical from Andrew Lloyd Webber which is all about inspiring young people in the forgotten art form of rock and roll. The narrative feels like a true reflection of our ambitions to empower young people with confidence and flare and was inevitably the reason why we chose this musical.”

Oliver said that the excitement of rock has been flowing through the theatre’s members.

He said: “An instant wave of energy and excitement flooded our company when we revealed our next production before the summer holidays last year. To perform a narrative mainly lead by younger students was definitely something they were not expecting. Through rockstar appreciation lessons where they met the great ACDC, Led Zeppelin and Motörhead, our company began to understand the scale of a musical we were about to undertake.

“Early on in our rehearsals, our trainee facilitator, Eleanora Webber, took the rains of the rehearsal and taught our company the movement to underscore Webber’s relentless number, Stick It To The Man. The buzz that came from that day has not left our rehearsal process, and I am pleased to say through our companies commitment and resilience we have finished rehearsals and are eagerly waiting for our technical ones to commence.”

Such an exciting production, there are plenty of highlights throughout, however, Oliver has said there are two moments in particular that he can’t wait for audiences to experience.

He said: “The first is a Musical number called If Only You Would Listen near the end of the first act where a group of dejected and outcast young people try with all there might to make their parents hear and understand them. This poignant moment feels so relevant in so many young peoples lives, I really wanted to make it land with our audiences who will be fighting to hold back their tears with me. An army of angry parents storming down the headteachers castle of ignorance is a fantastic moment from the second act I can’t get enough of! It is packed with such power and energy and really demonstrates the developed talent of our senior students. I really can’t wait for audiences to experience this.”

The group’s production of School of Rock is being performed at Launceston Town Hall on Thursday February 19 until February 21. Every night there is a show at 7.30pm and on the Saturday there is a matinee at 2pm.

LYMT is a a Community Interest Company based with an ambition to train and nurture young people in all things Acting, Singing and Movement. LYMT seeks to provide a safe and inclusive space for young people to develop confidence, explore their talent, take on new challenges, build friendships and reach the best of their ability, whilst creating high quality musical theatre. We are a successful youth group with over 90 young people who take part in yearly productions and Saturday skills sessions.