Entertainment

Review: A mischievous evening at Rock of Ages

Be prepared to take a step back in time to a world of stonewashed denim and big hair with Rock of Ages. Anne Hailes certainly enjoyed herself at this cheeky and mischievous musical at The Grand Opera House.

 Rock of Ages
 Rock of Ages  Rock of Ages

The lights dim, a guitarist comes forward, pauses, looks into the audience, swings his plectrum across the strings and we are off.  Downtown LA, Sunset Strip, nightclubs and diners.  It’s loud and it’s raunchy.  Rock Of Ages comes to town and boy do they rock.  

All is going well, the shenanigans of fit young people enjoying life, the music, the energy - the narrator! 

He’s very naughty, his body language leaves nothing to the imagination as he weaves in and out of the story, he’s hilarious and loveable telling us what’s happening, the girl (Jodie Steele) is leaving home for a life in films, the boy (Luke Walsh) heading to the big time as a rock star.  

Soon I’m aware he keeps looking at me, second row from the front is quite an exposed seat. This show is full of innuendo as I learned when Lonny became more interested in yours truly.  I’ve got to say Lucas Rush plays the part well, the whole audience became fascinated by our two way affaire, but then, he stops everything, comes to the edge of the stage, stares at me, making come hither gestures and asks me my name. 

There’s a hush.  “Me?” I squeak.  “You!” he croons.  I tell him and immediately, sitting my seat in the Grand Opera House, I become one of the cast, I love it, the audience love it and the cast love it.

The story unfolds as boy fails to make it big, looses girl to a strip club, a German developer arrives, buys the club from Dennis, brilliantly played by Kevin Kennedy  always Curley Watts from Coronation Street. 

So the angst begins,  he mustn’t be allowed to flatten their Temple of Rock, leaflets are given out - “Here Anne take one,” says a girl protester, placards are paraded, Save Our Strip, Lonny leads them but looking deeply into my eyes even from that distance, he swings his round and it reads ‘I Love You Anne’.

This is a fun show and many of us thought the best of its kind ever to grace the stage of the Opera House.  It’s hot, the girls don’t wear much and the men are men, beards and bomber jackets and everyone on stage is super physical, super professional and, well, just super.  

Be sure, this is not Rock of Ages the hymn written by A.M. Toplady, one little 13-year-old in the audience said to her mum, “I don’t think this is appropriate for me,” probably not!

At the end of this brilliant production, dancing, singing, acting, music, lighting, costumes what there are of them, the entire cast are on stage singing Don’t Stop Believin’.  Lonny gazes down at me, jumps off the stage, gives me a hug and a red rose. 

Did I feel special or did I feel special.  Yes I did.  After the show I met my amour and what a charming man he is, born in Blackrock, has worked in theatre, film and television, when he finishes this tour he’s off to South Africa.

I liked being famous in front of 800 people for one night only!  Tonight this could be you!  I recommend it in every way.

Rock of Ages is on at The Grand Opera House until Saturday 22nd June.