Rock of Ages

Rock of Ages

Beverley Musical Theatre

 

Director Ian Start, Musical Director Hannah Hughes, Choreographer Rebecca Kingston

Hull Truck Theatre

18th June 2025

Beverley Musical Theatre’s latest production, Rock of Ages, brought the electrifying energy of 1980s rock anthems to life with flair, humour, and a palpable love for performance. The show was a confident and enjoyable romp through one of musical theatre’s most unapologetically loud and wild offerings.

From the moment the curtain rose, the set transported the audience straight to the heart of the grungy, neon-drenched Bourbon Room. The cleverly designed tiered staging allowed for dynamic movement and visual interest throughout, with a variety of stage entrances utilised to keep the action flowing effortlessly. It was a space that truly suited the story’s chaotic charm.

A standout feature of the night was the exceptional live band, led by the talented Hannah Hughes. Their performance was electric and captured the raw, powerful essence of classic rock hits perfectly. However, there were a number of moments where the sheer volume overpowered some of the cast, making dialogue and lyrics difficult to hear — a shame, given the strength of many of the vocal performances.

The choreography by Rebecca Kingston was non-stop and energetic, keeping the cast in near-constant motion. Her routines made particularly good use of five main dancers who brought vibrant energy to every number. Full ensemble scenes were especially enjoyable, demonstrating both the cast’s commitment and their sheer enjoyment of the material.

Among the cast, Martyn Payne delivered a strong performance as Drew, with clear projection and solid vocal delivery. Georgia Kingston gave a likeable and sincere performance in her role as Sherrie. Mike Wells portrayed Dennis with a nicely drawn-out, quirky charm, while Christian Brodie played the egotistical rock star Stacee Jaxx with the right amount of swagger and sleaze. Claire Cooper gave a very good performance as Regina, delivering her lines with power and passion. But it was Josh Murray Butler as Franz who had the audience roaring — his comedic timing and physicality made for a simply hilarious performance.

Two performances truly stood out and deserve special mention. Adam Sperring as Lonny was nothing short of phenomenal. From his first entrance, Sperring had the audience in the palm of his hand. His comic timing was razor sharp, his facial expressions and delivery constantly engaging, and his vocal performance consistently strong. He was the glue that held the show together, confidently guiding the audience through the madness with cheeky charm and complete command of the stage. Without doubt, he would fit comfortably on a professional stage — a true standout of the evening.

Sarah Hurst as Justice was equally magnetic. “Wow” is the only way to describe her voice — powerful, soulful, and rich with emotion. Every time she sang, the room stilled, captivated by the sheer quality of her performance. But it wasn’t just the vocals — Hurst embodied her character with grace and authority, bringing warmth, strength, and a compelling presence that elevated every scene she was in.

In all, Beverley Musical Theatre’s Rock of Ages was a raucous  success. With some technical fine-tuning, especially in sound balance, this production could have been near faultless. As it stands, it was a joyful celebration of rock, packed with heart, humour, and no shortage of talent. Its always nice to see a group that genuinely love being on stage and by the last number it was clear how much Beverley Musical Theatre did.

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