By Jordan Baker
Sydney Catholic Schools billed its production of School of Rock as taking school musicals “to a whole new level”. For the first time, about 3000 of its students came together for a “once in a lifetime” extravaganza in front of an estimated 20,000 students and parents.
It was a huge hit – or so it seemed.
School of Rock The Musical at Qudos Bank Arena involved 3000 students from Sydney Catholic Schools
The success of the show has been overshadowed by a backlash from parents, some of whom are upset about the language (one song contained the words screwed and pissed), the disrespect for authority (the choir sang Stick it to the Man), and by a scene in which students prayed to the God of Rock.
But the biggest controversy, representing the largest share of complaints to the schools’ boss and archbishop, was a brief scene in which two male students played a same-sex couple.
School of Rock, an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical based on a film of the same name, is about a down-and-out musician who pretends to be a teacher to get a job at a strict private school, and turns his class into a school-uniformed rock band in the tradition of AC/DC.
He refuses to teach “boring” maths and English, and instead encourages the students to embrace rock music, to the consternation of their parents – two of whom are in a same-sex relationship.
The Catholic Church does not support or recognise same-sex marriage. Before the postal vote in 2017, Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher and the former head of Sydney Catholic Schools wrote to parents urging them to vote no.
School of Rock The Musical at Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Catholic Schools’ answer to the Schools Spectacular
However, polling before the vote showed two-thirds of Catholics rejected the church hierarchy’s position and supported same-sex marriage.
The scene involving the male couple had a mixed reaction among parents. Some in the audience were quietly celebrating; some were puzzled about why a musical with such a scene was chosen; and some were incensed enough to contact head office.
The chief executive of Sydney Catholic Schools, Tony Farley, has sent about 80 letters in response to complaints.
“There have been some complaints raised regarding the content of the show and the suitability for some younger members of the audience,” Farley told the Herald. “With the benefit of hindsight, we would not have chosen this particular musical.
Jack Black in a scene from the movie School of Rock, which the musical is based on.Credit: Publicity
“Concerns have included language used in the show that is clearly unacceptable in a school or family setting, adult themes that are alluded to in the show which are in no way endorsed by Sydney Catholic Schools, and disrespect for authority that caused some concern.
“Sydney Catholic Schools sincerely apologises and takes responsibility for any elements which caused offence and are undertaking a full review of all aspects of the production which will ensure that a situation such as this will not occur again.”
School of Rock was the first show put on by students from across the Sydney Catholic Schools system, in the same way the Schools Spectacular draws together students from NSW public schools.
Three thousand students put on four performances at Qudos Arena at Sydney Olympic Park last week, each in front of an audience of about 5000 students and parents.
In the letter to upset audience members, Farley wrote that Catholic schools were “committed in every way to the teachings of the Catholic Church and their practical expression in everything we do and say. I can assure parents that our priority is the care and nurturing of every student in fidelity with our church and the gospels.”
A spokesman for the archbishop of Sydney declined to comment.
Our Breaking News Alert will notify you of significant breaking news when it happens. Get it here.