Hull New Theatre – 24th January 2025
Reviewed by Dawn Bennett
5*****
Last night at Hull New Theatre I had the absolute pleasure of seeing the world premiere of Steve Steinman’s Vampires Rock, Eternal Love the Musical, and what a treat it was! I’ve not seen any of the other shows that they have done and didn’t quite know what to expect but what I watched was brilliant. Steve is an excellent songwriter, these were all original songs from two of his albums, and as a fan of rock music I really enjoyed listening to them. The songs helped the story move along and they fitted the storyline really well.
The story starts in the graveyard were Bosley (John Evans) sees Baron Von Rockula (Steve Steinman) again after a long time, things have changed, especially for the Baron, the love of his life, Pandora, is no longer around so he seems very lost. Bosley deicides to change the castle into a diner along with help from vampires Medusa (Tanyth Roberts, Drusilla (Olivia Doherty-Marks), Ursula (Victoria Farley) and Elivria (Amy Jackson). When Xena Rock-Heart (Claire Zamore) turns about at the diner looking for work The Baron is shocked to see how much she looks like Pandora and decides to make her into his wife. What follows is a rollercoaster of problems for the poor Baron, from a wedding to vampire hunters!
All of the songs were excellent and I particularly enjoyed Northern Star and I will Survive Without You. The band (Jamie Hiscox, Harry Garbutt, Pete Jean, Dan Stevens and Joe Brierley) were outstanding, I would go and watch them gig any time. The set was really good, with the background changing and being at different levels with the band on stage it was very effective. I did like the “paintings” of the long-lost relatives on the walls Uncle Mick, Uncle Keith, Uncle Ozzy and Uncle Alice, that was clever!!
The show is very funny, Steve Steinman and John Evans worked together so well and their banter (scripted or not!) was hilarious, it has brilliant, original, music, fabulous singers, dancers and actors. I really enjoyed it, and judging by the standing ovation at the end so did the audience. Would I recommend it? Yes absolutely, a great night and definitely shows how a musical should be done!