Hull New Theatre – until 20th May 2023
Reviewed by Dawn Bennett
4****
Rock of Ages (presented by Dan Looney, Adam Paulden, Jason Haigh-Ellerby & Richard Klin for DLAP GROUP Sue Gilad and Larry Rogowsky) nearly took the roof off Hull New Theatre last night. I’m a big fan of rock music and musicals so this was a really good show for me!
Set in the 1980’s. Rock of Ages tells the story of The Bourbon Club on the West Hollywood Sunset Strip; the boss Dennis Dupree (played by the very talented Kevin Kennedy) has to fight the developer Hertz Klineman (Vas Constanti) who along with his son Franz (Scott Hayward) and the Mayor of West Hollywood (Adam Strong) want to demolish the Bourbon Room and the rest of the Sunset Strip. The story is a love story between Sherrie Christian (Gabriella Williams) a singer who comes to LA to find fame and fortune and Drew Boley (Sam Turrell) a rocker who moved to LA and dreams of stardom while working in the Bourbon Room. Dennis persuades Stacee Jaxx (Cameron Sharp, who plays the sleazy 80’s rocker really well) the lead singer of the band Arsenal to play at the club and raise some money to stop the club from being demolished. Drew asks Dennis to hire Sherrie but the path of true love doesn’t run smoothly for the couple and we then follow the story of their very rocky relationship! Gabriella Williams (Sherrie) and Sam Turrell (Drew Boley) were outstanding singers and it was great to watch them perform.
The stand out actor for me last night was Tim Oxbrow who played Lonny Barnet, he held the audience in the palm of his hand, he broke the fourth wall by talking to the audience (especially to Sue in the front row!!) and his timing was brilliant. Regina (Stephanie Chandos) and Franz (Scott Haywood) did an amazing duet their voices were excellent and Jenny Fitzpatrick who played the “Gentleman’s club” owner…wow what a voice!
The rest of the cast and the ensemble danced, sang and acted their hearts out they looked to be enjoying every minute of being on stage.
The music was fabulous with songs from Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Don’t Stop Believin’, Waiting For A Girl Like You and many, many more. The Band, Liam Holmes (Musical Director/Keyboards) Liam Stevenson (Guitar 1), Alex Ward (Guitar 2), Elliot Mason (Bass Guitar) and Steve Hynes (Drums) are so talented and played the very recognisable tunes brilliantly.
Is this musical fun? Yes! Is it entertaining? Absolutely. Is it loud? Oh, most definitely yes! Would I recommend it? Yes, and I’m off to watch it again on Friday!!