Mayflower Theatre, Southampton – until 20 July 2019
Reviewed by Jo Gordon
4****
Rock of Ages just about covers all that was wonderful about 80s – rock music, big hair, big sounds, big rock Gods and tiny tiny rock chick shorts!
Every classic rock anthem you can think cleverly entwined within the story about southern belle Sherries (Jodie Steele) new adventures on LA’s Sunset Strip. After gaining a job in the famous Bourbon Club owned by Dennis (Kevin Kennedy), she meets wannabe rock star Drew (Luke Walsh) in a boy-meets-girl will-they-won’t-they scenario which is thread throughout the whole show and keeps us guessing till the end. After an incident with the superstar known as Stacee Jaxx (Kevin Clifton) things take a turn for the worst and Sherrie ends up working in a local strip joint. Meanwhile the areas club owners have a fight on their hands as German developer Hertz (Vas Constanti) and his son Franz (Andrew Carthy) plan to bulldoze the strip and rebuild it as a classier area. With the organisation of protests by local hippy Regina (Rhiannon Chesterman) just maybe it could all be saved.
A simple but effective backdrop of neon lights, industrial buildings and rugged rock club set the scene well and true to most rock dens I may have frequented on occasion in the early 90’s!
The highlight for me was the shows narrator Lonnie (Lucas Rush), very funny at times and got the audience revved up at all the right points. On a whole its a strong cast that carry the predictable story well and all the popular tunes keep the audience playing air drums and signing along. I personally feel that the choreography of the dancing girls at times could be toned down a little and some of the “action” Jaxx received at times was a bit much in parts but that aside its a great easy watch, toe tapping production that appeared to bring in those who wouldn’t normally frequent a theatre which can only be a good thing!
Be warned though, after watching it you will be digging out the classic rock compilations and releasing your inner rocker in the car to work the next day…or maybe that’s just me!