Glasgow Kings Theatre – until 26 January 2019
Reviewed by Linda McLaughlan
5*****
GLASGOW ARE YOU READY TO ROCK?
The audience at Glasgows’ Kings Theatre were ready to rock from the opening number clapping as though they were in the front row of a 1980s Rock Concert complete with spandex and a crop of Big Hair.
This is an American love story set to over 20 classic hard core rock anthems from the 1980s between Sherrie and Drew (Jodie Steele and Luke Walsh). Both have ambitions to making it Big (as an actress and a rock star respectively). They meet for the first time when Sherrie has her purse robbed by an opportunistic thief. The fall in love, fallout due to Drew misunderstanding and not reading the signs given off by Sherrie and eventually getting back together.
The scene is set on Sunset Strip in LA between two bars, The Venus (a gentle-man’s Bar) and the Bourbon Room a run down bar that hosts live bands every night.
Rock of Ages is narrated by Lonnie (Lucas Rush) a failed singer who is now a bar tender and a self proclaimed sound engineer. Lonny deliberately injects a brand of humour which is both cheesy but extremely witty and unpredictable full of one-liners, such as “I’m no Andrew Webber Sondheim”. But sings and acts his part to an extent that he makes the show and takes us away for a night of fun and escapism.
The music, staging, set up and singing is outstanding and encourages the audience to participate to Rock Anthems played by a live band of actors/musicians, such as We Built this City, Here I go Again, I Wanna Know What love Is, The Final Countdown and ending with Don’t Stop Believing which is the real anthem to the show as Sherrie and Drew try to find what it is they want and need.
The understanding required of the cast entirely made this show come alive from the owner of the Bourban Room, Dennis, (Kevin Kennedy) an old hippy who loves his bar and his passion for rock music which is played in it nightly to The owner of the Venus Club, Justice, (Zoe Birkitt) a soul singer who could bring the roof down with power of her voice or make you cry with the soft soulful vibes that she can sing. She found it tough getting a record deal then opened a lap dancing club just for gentlemen with money she saved rather than go back home.
Also bringing the house down is an unrecognisable Kevin Clifton From Strictly Come Dancing who Plays Rock God Stacee Jaxx. Clifton is a classic box office draw but shocks everyone with his dodgy wig and costume and a decent vocal range which is a revelation to all.
To produce this type of show it is obvious that the whole cast are talented making these rock anthems sound seamless with little effort especially Lucas Rush who deserved to be centre stage as Narrator Lonny.
Rock of Ages is in itself an advert for the 1980s and all that went with it. The breakneck pace at which it goes from first curtain to the final bows containing bucket loads of laughter and some of the best vocals and musicianship heard in Glasgow or any other stage for that matter.
Rock of Ages is guaranteed to keep your spirits high whilst putting a tune in your head that wont leave for days.
Outstanding!!