"Rock Of Ages" by Gatepost Theatre Company.

May Hall, Long Eaton.

I’ve seen this brilliantly entertaining jukebox musical many times over the years, so here we go again because I could not fight the feeling to release my inner rocker.

Set in the mid to late 1980s and centring on music club The Bourbon, on LA's Sunset Strip, where Drew is working while waiting for that elusive big break as a rock star, we meet wannabe singer/actor Sherrie - 'just a small town girl' from Kansas, and Drew's love interest.

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!

It is a parody of all things glam, rock and eighties and I loved it.

First of all let me state that if you have seen "Rock Of Ages" in the past, you have not seen the Ultimate production of "Rock Of Ages"....not until you've seen this production!

Secondly, let me state that "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" bill themselves as the sexiest show on stage. Hellooo!! Meet this production of "Rock Of Ages". This show is so raunchy, they had to turn on the air conditioning on to cool the steam!

Stacee Jaxx, the rocker with a big ego, is played by Christopher Collington; well who else could match the Stacee Jaxx ego? When Tom Cruise played Jaxx in the film version, he based his version on Jim Morrison and Axl Rose. Chris has gone full on Axl Rose, in looks and style. He also brings an aura of rock God as silence fell over the auditorium, as if shrouded in an invisible sound-proof cape, he started the interview with in the musical with the reporter from Kerrang, who also fell under Jaxx's spell, almost like a rock God version of the Pied Piper of Hamlyn. I must mention though that Chris looks to be having too much of a good time on stage!

Chris is a very generous Director because he gives some of the best and funniest characters to other actors. He also has included so many insertions throughout the musical that keeps this already brilliant show, even funnier, and so much saucier - just keep an eye on some of the placards, as well as the video screen. I also found that I needed another set of eyes because while you are watching the main action centre stage, there's an equally funny section happening in the background, or to the lest, or to the right, or upstage.

Dennis Dupree, the potty-mouthed owner of The Bourbon Lounge, is played by Simon Owen. There is a brilliant camp section (one of many) where Dennis and Lonny sing to each other Reo Speedwagon’s “Can’t Fight This Feeling”, which has to be seen to be believed, accompanied by a brilliantly comical video screen section. Plus a very funny angelic appearance near the end. Heavenly!

Lonny Barnett has that musical theatre glue that holds everything together as Dennis's sidekick and narrator, played by Luke Grainger. I've known Luke for several years, and I know what a lovely warm and naturally humorous bloke he is. This role usurps anything I have seen him play previously. The mincing, the sideways looks, the campness and the ability to play this role with buckets full of comedy, as well as the jazz hands, makes this part, THE BEST part he has played, in my humble opinion. Luke also has a worthy rock and blues voice to boot.

Drew is played by Jack David. I think I last saw Jack as Emmo in "Our House" a couple of years ago at May Hall. As Drew, Jack shows off one of the best rock voices I've heard in local theatre. It's a rare occasion when I can't pick out one or two favourite songs from one character's songs from the musical's soundtrack, but this is one. Jack smashed every song he delivered. I know that he is a lovely comedy actor, and he brings that to this role, and when spliced with that voice of his, this role is complete. I don't know if Jack plays guitar himself but it looked completely kosha from where I was sitting. Oh, and I loved the scene when Drew turns up in his car for the date with Sherrie. It's the first time that I have seen a full, drivable car on the May Hall stage, or in any of the productions of this musical before.

Sherrie Christian is played by Hollie Smith. Have I seen Hollie before? I can't remember. Why haven't I seen Hollie before because she is brilliant. She has a gorgeous voice which sounds really good with Jack's vocals, and certainly looks the part of a rock chick!

Helga Klinemann is one of those panto style villains that you love to hate and then turns it all around and you start to love her, and is played by Rachelle Bragg. It's nice to see a twist on the usual German property developer by having a Helga instead of a Hertz, and I love the accent, and she even looks German!

Franz is the wonderfully camp son of tough talking German developer, Helga. Played brilliantly camp by Harrison Ince, but just wait for his big reveal in Act Two. Again a brilliant comic character actor who just lights up the stage every time he appears on it.

Regina Koontz is 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. Aaahhh, another happy ending. Jude Cliffman is Regina, who has several very comical moments throughout.

Justice Charlier, the owner of The Venus Club, is played by Lottie Lodge. Justice is a really strong character who took Sherrie in when she needed a job. Justice has a heart of gold and a lovely role for the lovely Lottie.

Gary Heap gets to play several characters with several costumes and wigs; at times it seemed that just as Gary goes off the stage as one character, he reappears as another. See if you can spot how many different roles Gary actually has!

There's a big ensemble, who also play several characters.

Jade Buckingham, Sarah Butler, Steph Donnett, Sally Elliott, Steve Fowkes, Ben Gray, Alana Grummitt, Gemma Hall, Ellie Heap, Laura Howard, Sarah Knight, Jack Lawrence, Alex Martorell, Jordan Neary, Christine O Connor, Gabi Owens, Kiah Smith, Laura Stone, Kirsty Vastenavondt, Isobelle Walker and Claire Webb.

Choreographed by Lottie Lodge, and there are some big ensemble choreography in this musical, and whether it's the big numbers or the smaller choreographed pieces, the energy you get from them is electric,

Lighting Design is by Stephen Greatorex. This design makes you feel like you're in a rock concert and gets you in the mood and your blood pumping.

Sound design is by Harry Greatorex. The sound has come on so much since I first visited May Hall, and of late the sound has been absolutely perfect, as was tonight's sound.

Musical Director is Martin Lewis. What I like about jukebox musicals like these are the arrangements of the songs that we all know and love so much. It may be a broken down to it's simplest melody as in the "Heaven" section, or a big rocked out number like "Cum On Feel the Noize", the rock is at opposite ends of the scale but sound so very good. The power from the big rockers like "We're Not Gonna Take It" or "The Final Countdown" - which is given a futuristic feel hit you like a left hook, and the end of both acts with "Here I Go Again" and the finale "Don't Stop Believin'" make sure that you are left feeling completely sated... unlike Stacee Jaxx.

The band are on stage all the time, and in costume, and create a hot rocking combo that could melt the skin from your face they are so hot.

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", "Pour Some Sugar On Me", "Here I Go Again" and the explosive final number "Don't Stop Believin'"

There are some brilliant costumes for everyone, some are very elaborate and some have very little material to them, sourced by Lottie Lodge, Claire Webb and Ellie Heap.

Even the Stage Manager John Cliff gets to play a part on stage and has the urine extracted.

Expect nothing but a good time, Long Eaton, we are gonna take it so come on, and feel this noize!

"Rock Of Ages" is at May Hall, Trent College in Long Eaton until Saturday 30 March.

Photography by Martin Holtom.