"Rock Of Ages"
Gilly Archer Theatre, Bilborough College.
I’ve seen this jukebox musical many times over the years, so here we go again, and celebrating a decade of reviewing at Bilborough College, because I could not fight the feeling to release my inner rocker anymore. Incidentally my first review for the college was "We Will Rock You" in 2013.
But the young rock wannabe is not the only one lured by Sherrie and when Stacee Jaxx, lead singer of stellar rock band Arsenal, sets his sights on her, it seems Drew's romance, and the search for paradise is over.
In the tradition of all good musicals though, true love finds a way.
The tongue is firmly in the old cheek with this show. Big hair, glam rock costumes and larger than life personalities are everywhere in this heart-warming story about saving the community’s rock joint from the developers who may have built this city , but the citizens just wanna rock!
Lonny, the part time narrator of the show, is played by a young man who I've seen in several productions in the area, Evan Fretwell. Just two and a half years ago I reviewed "Cats" for Copper Studios and remarked of Evan that he is "a young man whose future really lies in musical theatre as this boy can dance".
Evan choreographs "Rock Of Ages" as well as playing Lonny. Every time I see Evan on stage I see a different side to him and as Lonny you get to see a more comedic side to him. His face telegraphs humour well and he knows how to deliver the humour in the script.
He is also really saucy, and not only in his script delivery but with every part of his being. And if we get back to his dancing, those hips must be detachable, because if not they were certainly very, very loose!
A brilliant character actor who gets into the whole character. He scorches the floor with his dancing, strutting around like a cross between Mick Jagger and Steven Tyler from Aerosmith, and he can sing like an angel, or in this fun rock show, a Hell's Angel. The epitome of the "triple threat" label.
Dennis Dupree, the owner of The Bourbon Lounge, is played by Noa Hart, another one of my favourite actors. She has one of those voices that stand out as being different. Her deeper, husky tones are just what her character needs, and a complete contrast to Evan's, especially when they duet on "Can't Fight The Feeling". Dennis and Lonny are a great double act and that's brought out by these two actors.
Justice Charlier, who is the owner of the Venus "Gentleman's Club" is played by Nakiaya Francis-White. A really strong character who took Sherrie in when she needed a job. Justice has a heart of gold and this is shown by Nakaiya, who also has a great voice.
Drew Boley, the main male lead character and guitarist for the band Wolfgang Von Colt, is played by Thomas Markwick. A strong leading man whose voice grew, not only with confidence but with power throughout the musical. It's not easy to deliver falsetto but Thomas did a great job.
Sherrie Christian, the lead female character, is played by Holly Hughes. Holly has a voice that surprised me, as I wasn't expecting such a mature singing voice, especially with the ballads. Sherrie really came out of shell when she met Stacee Jaxx and there's a saucy comedy scene with both characters which Holly delivered with great aplomb.
Stacee Jaxx is played by Samuel Onwuteaka. Now, I've seen a few people play this role, including Kevin Clifton from Strictly Come Dancing, but I have never seen anyone play this role like Samuel. Imagine a cross between Rick James and James Brown with a touch of Lenny Kravitz and you'll be somewhere in the area of sex symbol rock star that is created by Samuel. I am sure that the temperature in the Gilly Archer theatre went up a few degrees when Samuel strutted on the stage.
Regina, who is played by Lily Essex, plays the rebel with a cause who's not gonna take the take over from the Germans, but discovers that that one of the German pair has been waiting for a girl like her to come into his life. Some nice comedy moments with Lily.
Hertz Klinemann, the developer who wants to tear down The Bourbon Lounge, is played by Samuel Brown. Hertz is one of those panto style villains that you love to hate and then turns it all around and you start to love him, well Hertz is, while Samuel is a brilliant comic and character actor.
Franz Klinemann, played by Tom Star is wonderfully camp as the son of tough talking German developer, Hertz, but just wait for his big reveal though in Act Two. Tom is a Star by name and also as this character.
The Mayor is played by Bethan Moore, Holly Chippendale plays Sherrie's Mother as well as a waitress, Gabriel Chamberlain plays Sherrie's Father and Joey Primo who apparently "poops money", Jack Forth plays Agent Ja' Keith Gill who wants to change Drew from a rock star to a boy band member. Constance Sack, the reporter for rock mag Rolling Stone, is played by Jazmin Lockwood who feels the heat caused by Stacee Jaxx.
Hannah Mayarara plays the Strip Club DJ, Katie Chamberlain is the Producer, Bartek Kacica plays the riot cop, Tinaya Edinburgh Miller and Anna Clay play Protestors and Ellie Adey plays a High School Girl.
The Shadows Of The Night are played by Bethan Moore, Anna Clay, Bartek Kacica, Ellie Adey, Grace Sims, Isabella Streets, Kacey Wardle, Katie Chamberlain, Kyra Fowler and Samara March.
Directed by Edith West, co-directed by Maeve Naismith this show is tight and pacy, packed with humour and energy.
Musical Director and guitarist is Charlie Turnball. I've seen several productions where the sound from the band has sometimes drowned the singers, often with the band being behind the audience and in the air. This show has the band on the stage and the sound quality is so much better. the rets of the band are Chris Knipe - drums, Anna Thornton - guitar, Rachel Ayree-Brown - keyboard and Dominic Watts on bass. A great sounding band who can rock out when required but can also produce a lovely ballad backing.
What I love about having a live band is that if a cue is missed and someone does not come in on time, the band can cover that up and get in time with the singers. I only heard this happen once, something probably no one else even noticed, but the band covered and within a second or two, both band and singer were back on track. Something that the Musical Director quickly picked up on and resolved which for me deserves credit for.
The costumes and wardrobe are by Udo Ejorh. All the cast look incredible in these outfits, completely looking the part. Many of the outfits for the ladies are the sort that your parents would say "You are not going out dressed like that!!!" so you can imagine what they were like!
Lighting and sound technicians are Megan Whitmee, Fly Rolfe, Asia Turnbull and Aiva Cooney-Hossack. Great lighting but the sound at the start was slightly muffled on some mics, especially Lonny's, and was a little low in the mix. What I did notice that, by the start of Act Two, these issues were completely resolved and the sound was so much better, so someone was taking notice throughout the first act.
Everything backstage was managed smoothly by Sita Augustine. Just how smooth it was backstage may not have been the image that I saw from my seat, but everyone was on and off stage with swiftness and ease.
Another highlight for me were the hair and make up because both were extremely good at reflecting the fashion of the era.
As you'd expect, the songs were all classics, from the gorgeous "More than Words", "Every Rose Has It's Thorn" and "I Want To Know What Love Is" to the out and out rockers like "Anyway You Want It", "The Final Countdown" and the explosive final number "Don't Stop Believin'". Expect nothing but a good time, Bilborough, we are gonna take it so come on, and feel this noize!
This is a real team effort, and this is a large team, but the hard work from all the team - on and behind stage - shone, which made for a rocking evening of fun.
"Rock Of Ages" is at Bilborough College's Gilly Archer Theatre until Thursday 14 December.
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