I have never liked the idea of musicals set to pre-existing songs. I have always felt that a song was written to tell its own story and should not be placed within a different story in a contrived way, twisting its original meaning. I have never seen film or stage versions of productions like Mama Mia or We Will Rock You for this very reason. I only decided to go and see Rock of Ages at The Cliffs Pavilion in Southend last week (13.11.14) because it starred Noel Sullivan, a singer I have been a fan of for many years.
Perhpas it was becuase I actually didn't know as many of the songs used in Rock of Ages, or perhaps it was the result of getting caught up in the story, or perhaps (and most likely) it was the rocking band and stellar acting that meant I quickly forgot my reservations and loved the spectacle of musical theatre that is Rock of Ages!
Let me add at this point that I am a bit of a rocker at heart and so fully appreciated the emmense skills of the band, who not only were on stage throughout the whole performance (except the drummer who we only saw at the end), but also took on roles and interacted with the actors and audience.
Talking of interacting with the audience, this was the main province of Stephen Rahman-Hughes who placed Lonny along with, as he pointed out towards the end of the show to the character of Drew, the narrator. His comic timing was spot on all night. He enthralled, entertained and kept the show on track. Some of his best moments of the night were when he was on stage with Daniel Fletcher who played the hippy manager, Dennis Dupree. They bounced off each other and appeared to throughly enjoy acting with each other.
This was in fact a motif for the show as a whole, all the cast appeared to be enjoying themselves and, on the odd occasion something went wrong or a cast member got the gigles, it didn't matter becasue we as an audience felt we could laugh along.
As mentioned, the only reason I roiginally booked to see the show was Noel Sullivan, who played the character of Drew, and he certainly did not disappoint. His singing was excellent all night and his cheeky side shone through during adlibs and comical moments.
Cordelia Farnworth played his love interest, Sherrie, and was also excellent throughout the evening. The times when she and Noel sang together were quite magical.
A special mention has to go to Ben Richards as Stacee Jaxx for this portrayal of the falmbouyant, very glam and yet egotistical rocker, Rachel Macfarlane as Justine for her powerul and soulful singing and Cameron Sharp as the 'not gay, just German' Franz who had the audience in fits of laughter with his very camp acting, dancing and brilliant performance - his dance, with Jessie May as Regina, in blue sparly lotards was a definie highlight for me!
Rock of Ages is more than a selection of siongs thrown togethe to twll a contrived story. It is a work of rock musicla genius. The songsact as a catalyst for the action, rather than having ben put into emphasise an event.
If you want an evening of rocking out to music of the late 80s, with the ineveitable love stry, laced with greta comedy, then Rock of Ages may just be the show for you.
Unfortunately Rock of ages ends its currecnt run in Wimbledon this coming week, so get ther if you can for the last chance, hopefully only for a whiole, to see this master of a rck musical.
Perhpas it was becuase I actually didn't know as many of the songs used in Rock of Ages, or perhaps it was the result of getting caught up in the story, or perhaps (and most likely) it was the rocking band and stellar acting that meant I quickly forgot my reservations and loved the spectacle of musical theatre that is Rock of Ages!
Let me add at this point that I am a bit of a rocker at heart and so fully appreciated the emmense skills of the band, who not only were on stage throughout the whole performance (except the drummer who we only saw at the end), but also took on roles and interacted with the actors and audience.
Talking of interacting with the audience, this was the main province of Stephen Rahman-Hughes who placed Lonny along with, as he pointed out towards the end of the show to the character of Drew, the narrator. His comic timing was spot on all night. He enthralled, entertained and kept the show on track. Some of his best moments of the night were when he was on stage with Daniel Fletcher who played the hippy manager, Dennis Dupree. They bounced off each other and appeared to throughly enjoy acting with each other.
This was in fact a motif for the show as a whole, all the cast appeared to be enjoying themselves and, on the odd occasion something went wrong or a cast member got the gigles, it didn't matter becasue we as an audience felt we could laugh along.
As mentioned, the only reason I roiginally booked to see the show was Noel Sullivan, who played the character of Drew, and he certainly did not disappoint. His singing was excellent all night and his cheeky side shone through during adlibs and comical moments.
Cordelia Farnworth played his love interest, Sherrie, and was also excellent throughout the evening. The times when she and Noel sang together were quite magical.
A special mention has to go to Ben Richards as Stacee Jaxx for this portrayal of the falmbouyant, very glam and yet egotistical rocker, Rachel Macfarlane as Justine for her powerul and soulful singing and Cameron Sharp as the 'not gay, just German' Franz who had the audience in fits of laughter with his very camp acting, dancing and brilliant performance - his dance, with Jessie May as Regina, in blue sparly lotards was a definie highlight for me!
Rock of Ages is more than a selection of siongs thrown togethe to twll a contrived story. It is a work of rock musicla genius. The songsact as a catalyst for the action, rather than having ben put into emphasise an event.
If you want an evening of rocking out to music of the late 80s, with the ineveitable love stry, laced with greta comedy, then Rock of Ages may just be the show for you.
Unfortunately Rock of ages ends its currecnt run in Wimbledon this coming week, so get ther if you can for the last chance, hopefully only for a whiole, to see this master of a rck musical.