Rock of Ages

Rock of Ages is a musical that is based around excerpts from famous rock songs of the 1980s, these are often presented as medleys.

The staging was excellent, with a beautiful, huge, Californian bar, stage left, around which the Bourbon Club action rocked. Props & furniture were super neat…loved the mini-mustang and the spacious men’s room.

Jamie Cordell led the cool band at the back, providing great sounds and accompaniment to the visiting ‘rock stars’. Songs were competently amplified, but the dialogue was sometimes stilted and inaudible. Lighting was gorgeous for all scenes on all parts of the stage…for solos & intimate moments right up to crowded rave scenes.

The costume team had created an excellent range of eighties-style costumes. These truly lifted the presentation.

Brandon Arnold, as Lonny Barnett, introduced the band and set the scenes. He enthusiastically narrated the show and worked super hard with the material he had. Francis Radford played cynical, laid-back Bourbon Club owner Dennis Dupree like a stoned fugitive from the Furry Freak Brothers. Best line…“Have you guys been here the whole time?”.

Sherry was pushy and determined, as Eloise Hogben, and a great Country & Western singer. Sam Beven, a fine singer and guitarist, played her (eventual) lover, Drew. They led so many numbers, but a stand-out was More Than Words/To Be With You/Heaven 4 - a lovely juxtaposition of songs.

Father/son Hertz & Franz Klineman (Kevin Wort & Matt Barnett) showed good characterisation as the comicbook German property developers. Their opposition was an enthusiastic Meg Richards as Regina Koontz, the City Planner and mega protester. The medley Wail to the Chief/We built this City/Too Much Time on my Hands was a fine introduction to their battles. Hertz gave a good Keep On Loving You.

Stacee Jaxx was the super-cool superstar that Dennis had lured back to the Bourbon Room for his group’s final gig. David Tonna played him with gusto…sleazy and with a massive ego…Wanted Dead or Alive. Ben Hopkins gave a slick, confident performance as the record producer Ja’Keith, who discovers Drew and moulds his career.

Natalie Lynch was excellent as Justice, somehow both sympathetic and slightly sinister. She gave a beautiful opening to Every Rose Has It’s Thorn. Lucy Carrell played interviewer, Constance, and was a strong dancer along with Anna Morgan and Lily Porter.

Here I Go Again was the big closing song to ACT I.

Great opening number for ACT II…The Final Countdown…with fun builder’s outfits and a wrecking ball ! High Enough was a lovely wistful piece by Sherrie, Drew and the ensemble.

Lindsay Swift had created excellent dance routines, including Harden My Heart, Heading Toward Venus, I Hate myself for Loving and the funny, naff ballet Can’t Fight This Feeling. The Club dance-floor was often packed with people, but it was a coordinated mayhem.

The show was high-spirited and energetic. The fourth wall got broken…then demolished, in a squirmy revelation from Lonny to Drew. Dennis died but the music lived on.

Don’t Stop Believin’ was the full-throttle finale by the whole company.

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