Panania’s Oliver Alkhair to star in School of Rock musical
Young Oliver Alkhair is shaping to be Panania’s big stage star as he appears in his third professional musical, School of Rock.
The Express
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At just 12 years, Oliver Alkhair is already a veteran of the big stage, moving effortlessly into his new role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s School of Rock, which opens in November in Sydney.
The Panania local starred in last year’s successful musical Charlie and Chocolate Factory, where he and other young actors took turns to play Charlie Bucket.
Oliver said Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was a bit exhausting with the production going on for seven months and more than 50 shows.
The experience with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Kinky Boots — his first professional show in 2017 — has, however, given Oliver a taste for the stage, though he has four years of community theatre behind him.
“I prefer musicals because they are fun and I enjoy performing in them,” Oliver said.
“I am excited about being in the School of Rock and while I will have some nerves, everything usually settles down on stage.
“Performing in Charlie and the Chocolate Factor was amazing and one of the biggest roles I have done.
“I also like writing scripts for musicals and did one for my school in 2016.”
Oliver, who is a talented dancer and singer, starts rehearsals for the Lloyd Webber hit musical next week.
He will play Billy in the show, which will be held at Capitol Theatre, Sydney, from November 10 to January 12.
Oliver comes from a musically and theatre-loving family, with siblings Alex, 14, and Elijah, 8, currently performing in Disney The Lion King in Sydney.
His mum Beth is a Bachelor of Music and also loves the theatre.
NURSES, MIDWIVES PROTEST AGAINST UNDERSTAFFING
School of Rock is based on the film starring Jack Black as Dewey Finn, a wannabe rock star who attempts to earn a few extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. He transforms a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band.
DETAILS
■ Where: Capitol Theatre, 13 Campbell Street, Haymarket
■ When: November 10 -January 12.
■ Tickets: from $69.90
■ Bookings: schoolofrockmusical.com.au