Rock of Ages

Rock of Ages is a show that knows exactly what it is. It is loud, unapologetically silly, packed with big hair, bigger personalities and a soundtrack full of rock anthems. This company embraced that spirit wholeheartedly and delivered an evening full of fun, laughter and some genuinely impressive musical performances.

One of the standout strengths of the production was undoubtedly the ensemble. Their commitment never wavered and the choreography throughout was executed with energy, precision and confidence. The dance numbers were consistently exciting to watch and helped maintain the pace and momentum of the show.

The costumes were excellent. There was fantastic attention to detail throughout and the accessories really helped bring the characters and era to life. Every performer looked as though they belonged on the Sunset Strip and the visual presentation of the company was strong from beginning to end.

The lighting design was exceptional. Given the relatively minimal set, the lighting carried a significant amount of responsibility for creating atmosphere and location. It did so brilliantly. The use of colour, spotlights and perfectly timed musical accents elevated many moments throughout the show. The lighting was often cinematic in quality and deserves significant praise.

My one observation relates to the balance between the band and microphones. At times, particularly during dialogue sections, some of the spoken lines were difficult to hear clearly. This was not due to a lack of projection from the cast, but rather the overall sound mix. Interestingly, the vocal numbers were generally much clearer and sounded excellent. Looking ahead, a little more balance between band and dialogue microphones would help ensure every joke and story beat lands with maximum impact.

Similarly, whilst I appreciated the directorial choice to keep the set relatively simple, I did occasionally feel that some additional signage or visual indicators for locations, could have helped reinforce the world of the show. The production relied heavily on lighting and performance to establish location, which worked well, but a few additional scenic touches may have helped tie everything together even more effectively.

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