Rock of Ages - Backstreet Theatre Company

Backstreet Theatre Company rocks audiences at the comfortable and friendly venue the Prince of Wales Theatre, Cannock with The Rock of Ages.

Beginning the show with immediate humour from the show`s narrator, Lonny Barnett, we`re taken back to 1987. The story begins at a club named Hollywood Bourbon Room where aspiring rocker Drew Boley works and then falls for a newwaitress and aspiring actor, Sherrie Christian. There`s a problem though that goes by the name of Stacee Jaxx, a rockstar playing at the club.

At the same time the club, owned by Dennis, is also under threat of demolition because of two German developers. This is because the pair, father and son, Hertz Klinemann and Franz have convinced the mayor to clean up the “sex, drugs and rock-and roll” activity on the Sunset strip. This sparks uproar and upset with city planner Regina and she goes on to passionately protest the redevelopment plans.

With a live band centre stage, the cast danced, sang and rocked their way through hits such as Hit Me With Your Best Shot, We Built This City and Don't Stop Believing. With a noticeably devoted cast, the vocals were strong and the choreography was fun and entertaining to watch. Here I Go Again was a particular highlight and the audience loved it.

Ian Smith delivered an impressively funny performance as Lonny Barnett. Complemented well by Dennis Dupree, played by Paul Lycett, their onstage pairing was hugely entertaining to watch together and they had the audience in stitches with their rendition of Torvill and Dean`s Bolero. James Price who played Franz also got many laughs with his flamboyant character performance. Vocally Sanjit Choongh, who played Sherrie, gave some particularly strong performances as did Caroline Wilson, as Regina. Everyone was well cast, talented and delivered wonderful performances.

All the costumes helped to easily transport the audience into the story and the stage design was unique and effective. Through the combined efforts of the performers and those backstage the story evolved seamlessly and professionally. Scrupulous effort has been put into every detail which resulted in a performance which goes far beyond any expectations. This included extra humour being injected in unexpected places (such as the protester signs and the use of printed t-shirts).

With its fast pace, talent, humour and atmosphere this is one that could be watched again and again. They wowed, they rocked and they left their audience very happy with a performance of an incredibly high standard.