Rock of Ages

Rock of Ages … is a ‘Juke Box Musical’ / ‘Rock Opera’ staged by Adlington Music and Arts at Adlington Community Centre, Railway Road, Adlington on Thursday 24th October 2024

From a book penned by Chris D’Arienzo, with music and lyrics from many artists … including Foreigner, Bon Jovi, REO Speed Wagon and Twisted Sister, the story starts in 1987 and centres around the fabled West Hollywood club the Bourbon Room, found in the seedy, sordid, vibrant heart of the Sunset Strip. The music venue had seen better days; run by former rock impresario Dennis Dupree and tended to by Lonny… Dennis’s mischievous assistant. This place was the essence of rock and roll. When bright-eyed young hopeful Sherrie Christian, a small-town girl who wants to make it as an actress, arrives in town, she bumps into Drew, a Bourbon Room busboy who dreams of rock and roll stardom. Love-struck Drew convinces Dennis to hire Sherrie, and the stage seems set for a blossoming romance. But, when the Mayor of West Hollywood is persuaded by a couple of ‘German Real Estate Developers’ to demolish the Bourbon Rooms and the entire gritty Sunset Strip, the stakes are raised!  Having never seen this musical before, I had no real idea what it was about or what to expect, other than I thought it would be ‘loud’, a bit ‘wild’ and would probably include a collection of ‘classic rock songs’ which I hoped would be the case!  Now, having seen it…. I wasn’t far off the mark and some!  It was loud, it was raucous, a bit raunchy and a bit explicit in both word and action but extremely funny… without doubt ‘You got what it said on the tin’. 
 

Production Team … wow, what a storyline to get your teeth into… and those teeth belonged to James Cave (Director), Libby Blindell (Choreographer) and George Baldwin (Musical Director) and what a job they made of this ‘Rock Opera’!  To make this work, I think everyone needed to be on the same page, and from what I saw from the direction, movement, the choreo and the musical direction, it was and it all came together ever so well.  A strong, committed cast contributed wholeheartedly to this high energy rock musical, marshalled ever so well by James, Libby and George … they dragged every ounce of humour and pathos out of this encouraging story, whilst entwining an unpredictable ‘love story’ that ran throughout. I can only think the ‘old vocal cords’, of every cast member, must have taken a ‘battering’ … these were songs that could not be sung half-heartedly.  Choreography was energy driven; the routines appropriately staged from the ‘head banging classics’ to the ‘slower more intimate numbers’ … be ever so proud you three… you did good!

The Cast... once again I find myself struggling to go down my usual route by selecting a ‘showstealer’ … why, because this was, without doubt, another production where the whole was far greater and more important than an individual… it took the ‘whole’ to make this show the success that it was.  But, never one to sit on the fence... I will give a few shout outs later!  
The Cast… (PRINCIPALS) ... Paul Humphreys as ‘Lonny Barnett’, Andrew Lane as ‘Dennis Dupree’, Ryan Stanton as ‘Drew Boley’, Rachel Cooper as ‘Sherrie Christian’, Kim Barker as ‘Regina Koontz’, Chris Bailey as ‘Hertz Klinemann’, Owen Dickinson as ‘Franz Klinemann’, Becky Brown - ‘Stacee Jacxx’, Hannah Thurston as ‘Justice Charlier’.
FEATURED ENSEMBLE ... Paddy Duffy as Mayor, Tom Baines as Sherrie’s Father and Joey Primo, Beth Wharton as Ja’Keith Gill, Ellie Smith as Sherrie’s Mother and DJ., Niamh Hardman as Constance Sack... all took ensemble roles as well.
Protestors Ensemble ...     Kirsten Whittle, Keira Markey, Hannah Wallis, Jodie Clayton
Waitress & Dancers ...       Jamie-Lee Holme, Emma Hickson, Hannah Sutton, Heather Hodgson, Joanne Lister-Ward, Natalie Cleary, Paige Burgess and Victoria Pickstock.

As previously stated this truly was a company show… the acting, interacting and reacting was ever so well directed and defined. Everyone performed as an individual, yet when required, they came together ever so well and I just don’t mean ‘the chorus’.  Be very proud each and all!  So, let me now identify MY ‘shout outs’… all the principals performed really well, but I’m going to ‘stick my neck out’ and choose MY ‘Fab Five … starting with a duo, that I almost posted as MY show stealers … our two leads… Ryan Stanton, who played ‘Drew Boley’ aka ‘Wolfgang Von Colt’ and Rachel Cooper, who played ‘Sherrie Christian’. They produced two great characters and who just bounced off each other from start!  Ryan is blessed with a powerful ‘rock voice’ complimented ever so well by Rachel’s softer, sweeter tones.  Loved the chemistry, loved the ‘love story’ entwinned within all that mayhem, loved their two duets ’The Search is Over’ which was beautifully produced and sung and then my favourite … ‘High Enough’ and the scene ‘wrapped around the song’ which had everything… anger, intimacy, comedy, vulnerability… brought the house down…  be ever so proud you two, great job!  Not far behind these two we had the irrepressible Paul Humphrey’s who played ‘Lonny Barnett’ and what a great job he made!  The ’narrator’ I suppose … his ability to engaged and interact with the audience was superb! Wonderful stage presence, wonderful comic timing… loved his mannerisms, his facial expressions, an audience favourite I would suggest!  Next, we had Kim Barker who took on the role of ‘Regina Koontz’, the City Planner, the tough passionate protestor who finally gets her man!  Another blessed with great stage presence, there just seemed a ‘truth’ to this performance… great rendition of ‘We’re Not Gonna Take It’ supported by the ensemble and ‘HER MAN’ and my final choice… Owen Dickinson who took on the role of ‘Franz Klinemann’, a flamboyant German Real Estate Developer.  Owen played this part to perfection. Wonderful stage presence, loved the freedom in this portrayal and the comedy that he so easily brought to the fore … great dancer, great character … be ever so proud Owen… but be proud everyone!  

Stage/Tech... I’ve come to expect nothing less than ‘impressive’ when I visit Adlington Community Centre and again wasn’t to be disappointed … the staging and the tech are always up there with the best!  Led as always by Stephen Pilkington (Stage Manager) with Cliff Hill and Russ Jones as Stage Crew… everything just worked, allowing the production to flow with ease … well done guys!   Tech… once again the projection was ever so notable, the lighting amazing … we did have one or two ‘slow mikes’… but with everything that was going on!  In charge and overseeing all things ‘Tech’ we had another ever-present team in Joanna/Natalie Sweet, Richard Cornes and Stuart Naylor… again, be ever so proud, whatever you ‘Wizards’ put your mind too, always enhances these productions ... be ever so proud, cos you should be!

The Band… situated on stage throughout.  I can only think that producing the music and the support for all these iconic tracks must have been a real challenge, but led by George Baldwin (MD – Keys) with James Threlfall (Drums), Ben Thomas (Guitar), Bob Tinsley (Guitar) and Theo Tambourini-Kay (Bass) the sound was amazing, taking us all the way back to the 80’s… it was loud, it was pulsating, it was raucous and it looked and sounded just right from opening number ‘Come on Feel the Noise’ to finale and one of my favourite songs ever… ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ … you really did ‘rock the house’ that night!

Wardrobe/Costumes ... again impressive, enhanced the production being looked over by Kim Barker Props Team ... first class… under watchful eye of Frances and Tom Shinks.

To sum up… ‘what a night’… ‘full-on from start to finish’ … if the hoots and holla’s and the applause throughout were anything to go by … then this was a production enjoyed by everyone present … and ‘what a way to finish’ with ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ … brought the place to its feet… congrats AMAS another great show to be proud of!

Thank you so much for inviting my wife and I and for your hospitality throughout.  Thanks to Helen Dickinson for looking after us… hope to see you all very soon.

Stay safe, keep well…
‘Stronger Together’
Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

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