Rock of Ages

This show was written in the ‘naughties’ as a vehicle for lots of songs from rock bands/groups in the 1980s, with the story reflecting the fickle nature of romances with band members and the groupies who adored them, also the changing scene with clubs who promoted rock music.

Aspiring rocker Drew (Andrew Wright) works in a menial task at a bar/club which is not doing so well, and is about to be taken over by German father and son Hertz (Allan Ayre) and Franz (Ryan McMahon), who have plans to change the ethos.  Drew persuades owner Dennis (Paul Imrie) to have a final fling with group Arsenal, which is about to disband.  Its lead Stacee (Andrew Brien) falls for Sherrie (Rosalind Ayre), a waitress who had hoped to start an acting career, and who had had unsuccessful dates with Drew, but is persuaded to become very personal with the established rocker, while Drew opens the concert.  A record producer, having heard Drew, suggests he’s for the Big Time.  Confusion regns i Rockland, with some successes,but lots of doubts.

The father/son setup falters, romances also tricky, but at the end sense appears to prevail, and relationships settle.  The songs are what is all important in this kind of show, and they are what stand out.  The ‘ensemble’ plays its part in the story, but certainly the rockin’ action kept the audience, of mixed ages, happy yet again, with plenty of action in this concocted storyline.

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