Rock of Ages

Wow is all I can say about this show! The Sunset Strip, 1980-something. Los Angeles is being gentrified, and the very soul of rock and roll is at risk of selling-out. Enter the cast of Rock of Ages, a by now surely very well-known jukebox musical which places its audience at the centre of the battle for music, love, and dreams.

The story focuses around the proposed closure of the Bourbon Room, the withering career of deviant and cliché rock and roll star Stacee Jaxx, played by Jamie Rogers, and the dreams of two lovers. Sherrie Christian, played by Gemma Smith, a country girl moved to the city to find fame and Drew Boley, played by Alex Wright a wannabe rock star.

The band in the production under the Musical Direction of Danny Gamble were to be applauded for their authentic recreation of some of the best-known rock songs in history.

This production opened with the stand-out character of Lonny, played by Josh Breeze, the narrator guiding the audience from beginning to end and Dennis Dupree, played by Darren Ryder, founder of the Bourbon Room – a true refuge of rock and roll glory days. It was a performance which acts as the foundation of the show, and Breeze ably drives the plot along at pace regularly interacting with the audience and providing light relief.

Sherrie Christian and Drew Boley are played by Gemma Smith and Alex Wright respectively. Both offer something different in their portrayal of these naïve kids trying to make their way in the world. Gemma’ assured Sherrie demonstrated just the right amount of vulnerability to have the audience feel for her when things go wrong, but a healthy dose of confidence which reassures us things will get better. Alex Wright played Drew with the characteristics required for the show with self-confidence and assurance, but it is his singing voice which blows us all away.

David Ayres the director of the show did a fantastic job of not only directing the show but also the staging. A simple but well-designed set made for good use of levels in terms of rostra and swift set changes which enabled the fast pace of the show to continue.

The principal line up was amazing, all as strong as one another and all working well together. Hollie Dutton playing the strong Regina Koontz who falls finally in love with “…what do you mean gay…” Franz Klinemann, played by Ryan Coleman whose hilarious characteristics had the audience in stitches. His father Hertz Klinemann, played by David Elliott was on top form as the villain of the piece.

Choreographers Emma Waring and Gina Walsh did an amazing job in terms of movement and the ensemble were just as good as the principal line up ensuring that the show was a superb piece of theatre.

Overall a fantastic production with too many superb individual performances to mention. The show clearly left the cast feeling great and the audience too. Perfect example of amateur theatre delivered in a very professional way.  

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