“Theatre is well and truly back”, in the words of Kevin Clifton who plays the role of Stacee Jaxx in what I can only describe as one of the best stage show Musicals that I have ever seen. It felt so good to be back watching a live theatre production, especially at one of our favourites, the Alexandra Theatre.
You know you’re going to see a good show, when you bump into a fellow audience member in the car park on the way to the show and they tell you that they have seen it over 100 times. Yes, 100 times.
I quickly see why, as the show delivers all the way through. There’s a love story, laughter, plenty of chances to ‘rock-out’ and a healthy amount of audience interaction. Plenty to make you giggle and get you moving and singing.
Lonny (Joe Gash) is the narrator. A worker in the local Rock Club, the Bourbon Room. With his incredible vocals and his ability to have the audience clinging to his every action and word. Joe Gash was a perfect choice for the role and I think was loved by many. Definitely my favourite of the night.
German developers Franz and Hertz (played by Andy Carthy and Vas Constanti) want to knock the club down. There’s mention of a new Footlocker to be built. This comedy Father and Son duo will have you laughing plenty of times. But what will happen to Sunset Strip?
There is a love story between Sherrie (Rhiannon Chesterman) a wannabe actress who firstly works in the Bourbon Room and eventually in the nearby Venus gentleman’s club and Drew (Luke Walsh) an aspiring rocker who works at the Bourbon Room before taking a record contract with a record producer who wants him to change his style of singing. Will they let each other know that they love each other? Will Rock-Star Stacee Jaxx who can have any girl that he dreams of, come between the two? The vocals between Rhiannon and Luke will take your breath away as they compliment each other beautifully. I particularly enjoyed their rendition of Foreigners hit song, ‘Waiting For a Girl Like You’. Kevin Clifton (Stacee Jaxx) wows us in this show with his voice. We knew he had the dance moves from his performances in Strictly Come Dancing, but who knew he had such a powerful voice.
With a wealth of Rock tunes that everyone who lived during the 80s will remember and be able to sing along to, this is a show that delivers hit song after hit song for over 2 and a half hours. The actors frequently move around the stage, creating a party atmosphere making even those who usually sit still for a show, want to at least nod their head or tap along to the music. The band ‘Arsenal’ were fantastic. The sounds coming from the Guitars (Liam Stevenson, Alex Ward), Keyboard (Liam Holmes), Bass Guitar (Elliot Mason) and Drums (Vito Guerrieri) were phenomenal. A truly talented bunch who looked to be having just as much fun on the stage as we were in the audience.
Would we watch the show again? Yes. Without a shadow of a doubt. The most amazing performance with epic work from the Production Team, the Cast and the Band, this is team work at its best.
Find out where you can watch Rock of Ages next on their UK Tour here: https://www.rockofagesmusical.co.uk/tour/
Disclaimer: We were invited along as a guest to the press showing. All thoughts and views are entirely ours and we remain committed to giving 100% honest and trusted reviews. This show is brilliant.