Rock of Ages - The Alexandra

Photo credit: Richard Davenport

Theatre is boldly back with the banging of drums and the sound of White Snake in Rock of Ages. This comedy musical is packed with rock anthems such as We Built This City, The Final Countdown, I Want To Know What Love Is, Can’t Fight This Feeling, Here I Go Again and Don’t Stop Believin’. With a live band, a talented cast and every stage and technical detail planned perfectly this performance was faultless. 

The comedy strength of this show quickly hooked the audience in for this effortless watch. The caricatured German Franz, played by Andrew Carthy, was laugh out loud hilarious. One standout comedic moment was when Franz and Regina, played by Gabriella Williams, were prancing around on stage in their rainbow attire. Joe Gash, as Lonny, provided plenty of adult humour as the narrator of the show. Joe Gash and Ross Dawes, as Dennis Dupree, also worked well as a comedic duo in their blossoming relationship together. 

Rhiannon Chesterman (Sherrie) and Luke Walsh (Drew) were captivating in their lead roles and showed great chemistry together. Rhiannon was well cast as the innocent Kansas girl turned stripper and Luke was believable in his role as the young man with dreams of being a rock star. Both also gave enjoyable and talented vocal performances. 

Jenny Fitzpatrick as Justice the owner the local ‘gentleman’s club’ delivered a particularly powerful vocal performance. Her singing was impressive, well controlled and a vocal highlight of the show. 

There has also been great attention to detail and the performance was to the highest of professional standards. Rock of Ages highlights the talents and dedication of everyone involved in the show on and off stage and of the director Nick Winston. Everyone involved contributed to a great evening of entertainment.

Having Covid documentation checked by the theatre was also reassuring and allowed the theatre experience to be fully enjoyed. As the checks were swift it also brought no extra inconvenience. The energy of theatres being back could be felt immediately when entering the building from all the staff, audience, and the cast. 

Rock of Ages had the audience up on their feet rocking out and the cast enjoyed a well-deserved standing ovation and a lengthy applause. The cast also delivered an emotive message before the audience left about how they are back doing what they love and how theatre is now back and yes it most certainly is!

Rock of Ages runs at The Alexandra, Birmingham until Saturday 11 September 2021.