Last night I got to bring out my best air guitar moves and live out my inner 80’s rock goddess at Rock of Ages. And this show is jam packed full of classic 80’s rock tunes, lots of eyeliner and leather and hot pants, all set around a love story a protest, a dive bar and some hilariously camp humour.
As soon as the show starts you know exactly what you are in for! Classic rock songs from the likes of Bon Jovi, Journey, Europe, Foreigner, and Def Leppard to name a few, this show has every stereotypical rocker you can think of.
It’s all set around Sherrie (Rhiannon Chesterman) just a small-town girl who heads to the bright lights of LA to follow her dreams of becoming a Hollywood actress, and ends up getting a job at the Bourbon Room on the Sunset Strip, where she meets Drew (Luke Walsh), who has his own dreams of becoming a rock star.
When the Bourbon Room is under threat of being demolished German fat cats, in comes rock star Stacee Jaxx, played by Strictly Come Dancing’s Kevin Clifton (from Grimsby) who surprisingly has a great voice, to save the day, but he just ends up causing trouble for Sherrie and Drew and their Hollywood dreams.
The show is hosted by Joe Gash who steals the show as Lonny the narrator with his charisma, sarcasm, cheeky humour and banter with the audience. In the 2012 film this role is played by Russell Brand and he’s as good if not better at keeping the pace of the whole show and getting the best laughs.
Every song is a crowd pleaser particularly in the second act and this is a show where the music is the star and it’s great to see a live band on stage it really gives the feeling of a rock concert.
Personally, I’ve never seen the film, but that doesn’t really make any difference, Rock of Ages is a show that where you are entertained, can sing along to classic rock songs and just have a good time, which it’s safe to say everyone at Manchester Opera House certainly did.
The show ended with everyone up on their feet singing Don’t Stop Believin’, and at the end it was nice that Kevin Clifton thanked everyone in the audience for coming out to support the theatres, especially after the year we’ve all had, that was a really nice touch.
Rock of Ages isn’t breaking any boundaries or changing the world, but like any jukebox musical, super fun, with great music and does what it says on the tin, and you’ll leave the theatre smiling and feeling thoroughly entertained.
Rock of Ages is at the Manchester Opera House until 9th October 2021. Get tickets here
Review by Emma Ronan-Peate
atgtickets.com/shows/rock-of-ages/opera-house-manchester
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