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BrumHour saw Rock of Ages the invite of The Alexandra.
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For Brum Radio’s Interval Theatre Dave Massey spoke to actor Luke Walsh (Drew) about bringing Rock of Ages back on tour. Listen here:
Review by Dave Massey twitter.com/BrumHour
Please note: This production contains sexism in the workplace and strong language
Review: Rock of Ages UK Tour opens at The Alexandra
Book by Chris D’Arienzo, Arrangements and orchestrations by Ethan Popp
Our Narrator, Lonny (Joe Gash) takes us into 1980s “1987-ish”, he shares a story about romance and exploring your dreams, all set to a 1980s Rock-Glam-Metal inspired soundtrack.
Drew (Luke Walsh) is an aspiring singer with an impressive voice but not so impressive lyric writing skills, he’s also working in the Hollywood bar where Lonny works, which is owned by Dennis (Ross Dawes). One day an aspiring actress Sherrie (Rhiannon Chesterman) gets a job in the bar too.
Drew is in love! They have a date, but Sherrie feels friend-zoned by Drew and has a clinch with Stacee Jaxx (Played by Kevin Clifton on selected dates). Stacee then gets Sherrie fired from her job! Sherrie then gets a job in the nearby Venus Gentleman’s Club owned by Justice (Jenny Fitzpatrick).
Rock of Ages is a shamelessly cheesy fun-filled musical which uses troubadour/court jester style storytelling and jukebox songs to its full advantage, pulling moments from lyrics into its story.
Along with several nods to 1980s films (Jaws and ET were two I spotted), the production uses every inch of the stage with a huge hanging video screen and three levels for the cast to stand on, there’s an onstage band right in the centre and a metal frame with huge lights on to remind the audience that is this is a concert and at the heart of it is its story.
Luke Walsh as Drew photo by Darren Bell 
Rhiannon Chesterman as Sherrie photo by Darren Bell
I first saw Rock of Ages in late 2017 (but didn’t review myself). this also starred Luke Walsh as Drew, his good looks, MidAlantic style accent and great vocals mean he’s hugely suited to this role, Kevin Clifton plays a bad boy surprisingly well though he does look like he might apologise after sticking his crotch into peoples faces, he also has the right dance moves to own Stacee’s raucous character. Rhiannon Chesterman is totally charming as the small town girl in the big city. This is really Joe Gash’s show to steal, daft narration and playfully teasing the audience seems to come very easily to him.
This is a big show with a lot of heart to fill its two one hour and a few minute acts. After opening in Birmingham until 11th September 2021, at The Alexandra, the 2021 UK Tour heads off to Liverpool Empire, New Wimbledon Theatre, Milton Keynes Theatre, Manchester Opera House, Northcott Theatre in Exeter, Orchard Theatre in Dartford, Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent, Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre, The Beck Theatre in Hillingdon (London), Darlington Hippodrome and Grimsby Auditorium. The tour then resumes in Mid-January 2022.
Book tickets with BrumHour’s affiliate link >> HERE <<.
