As rehearsals for the B&B Young People’s Theatre Group’s production of School of Rock draw to an end, the production has been taken to a higher level after being joined by live band. The band is made up of local musicians who will accompany the cast during each show.
The band comprises of Ian (61) guitar, Angel (17) base, Olly (15) guitar, Bailey (16) guitar, Rebecca (39) keyboard, Francesca (26) keyboard and conductor, plus 19 year old Grace Ellis from Beccles who will be playing drums.
Grace Ellis raising her drum sticks high with other band members for the B&B Young People’s Theatre Group’s production of School of Rock. Image Fay Bishop.
Grace is no stranger to playing in a band as she was the chosen one to play live with American indie rock band The Killers at Carrow Road in the summer of 2022.
Playing the drums since she was 11 years old Grace couldn’t believe her luck when she was chosen by front man Brandon Flowers, to play ‘For Reasons Unknown’.
“It had become a tradition for The Killers to pick someone from the audience to take over on drums for this number” Grace told us “I practiced on my drum kit in the garage as it was my dream to play with them.”
Although Grace should have been revising for her AS biology exam, she spent the evening before the gig making a flag to hold up in front of The Killers saying ‘Pick me!’
On the morning of the concert she got up early to curl her long hair before taking her AS biology exam. She then headed straight to Norwich with her Dad, Aunty and best friend.
“We arrived in time to be at the front of the 35,000 audience” Grace continued. “When the time came for the band to pick a drummer the crowd cheered for me, and so I was chosen to play live with The Killers!”
She gave a truly amazing performance and afterwards appeared in local press and on TV. Grace told us that the experience was absolutely awesome and was definitely the best day of her life. Two years on, Grace still regales the experience with great excitement.
Grace Ellis on stage in front of a crowd of 35,000 playing drums with The Killers at Carrow Road in 2022. Credit Rob Loud.
Now working in London for the BBC as a technical production apprentice in radio and music, Grace is making good use of her young person’s railcard as she travels to Lowestoft to rehearse for School of Rock.
As well as drumming for the show Grace will be programming the stage lighting and excited as she be playing along to her own lighting.
The School of Rock will be performed at the Players Theatre, Battery Green Road, Lowestoft from 2nd to 7th April. Although audience members won’t be able to actually see Grace as the band members will be playing high above the stage on a platform, they will definitely be able to hear her. Tickets are available from www.playerstheatre.info or by phoning the box office on 01502 770020.
Finally we asked Grace how did her AS level go? Her reply – “I got an A!”