If you’re looking for an evening filled with laughter and music then a trip to the Swansea Grand this week is a must. We were there for the opening night of ROCK OF AGES which is back on the very last dates on its current tour, so see it now while you can.
You need to remember this is set in the 80s and in these very different times it’s worth reminding you of that fact. You’ll know what I mean if you remember the days of Whitesnake’s ‘Here I Go Again‘ with David Coverdale and his amazing head of hair and the women dancing around in their skimpiest pants. Then again something like 173 million of us have viewed that video, so I guess we do remember those times.
I mention that Whitesnake song as it’s featured in the show along with a bunch of other classics including: Don’t Stop Believin’, We Built This City, The Final Countdown, Wanted Dead or Alive, Can’t Fight this Feeling and I Want To Know What Love Is, all played loud and proud by an AWESOME live band.
When the show was lst in South Wales, some of the audeince gave us their take on the production – HERE.
So, think 1980s, big hair, tight outfits, and massive rock classics and the scene is set for the show.
It would be very easy to say this is one enormous jukebox of hits to those great songs, and while it is, it also has a proper story with an incredibly talented company of players, some of whom you’ll definitely have seen before either on TV or on a stage here in South Wales.
Rocking the stage as Stacee Jaxx is CAMERON SHARP, and a mighty fine job he makes of it. Incidentally Rock of Ages was Cameron’s first professional job back in 2013, so the show clearly means something special to him.
Stacee isn’t the nicest of rock stars, he’s full of himself, detached from reality and a bit full of anything else you’d like to name, but he can sing and Cameron makes a fine job of some classic hits, along with some great visual comedy.
Sherrie (GABRIELLA WILLIAMS), is a girl with big dreams to pursue the glamorous LA life but all doesn’t go to plan when she is mugged and ends up working in a bar before she has an uncomfortable, but hilarious bathroom encounter with Stacee. She then ends up working in a ‘Gentleman’s Club’ before the love part of our story moves up a notch.
Gabriella herself has an outstanding voice and was right up there on the audience appreciation scale.
Returning to play the role of Dennis Dupree, and an absolute joy to see in his suede 80s tassel jacket, is Coronation Street’s KEVIN KENNEDY! Yes, that is Curly Watts.
Kevin said of the show recently……
“I think it’s a lot raunchier and a lot sexier than other jukebox musicals.
The 80s has got a large following. I find with the number of tours I’ve done, especially with something like this, you’re going to have a ball. It’s just loads of fun.”
Read our full interview with Kevin HERE.
And as the club owner boss, Kevin is certainly plenty of fun in the show, and for a guy who in the real world is lost to country music he can sure belt out a rock classic too.
Little fact for you. At one time Kevin was a member of THE SMITHS! I kid you not, ask him at the Swansea Grand stage door if you see him
These greatest songs of the decade, are really good to hear with a fresh take and sound from the band – who are excellent by the way. Some of them are a little re-written to fit the plot, but that doesn’t stop us quietly singing along to them. The show is like a big musical celebration of rock in Los Angeles and all that was good, and maybe not so good at the time.
There were a few changes to the cast last night, not that you would know. Each of the swing actors slipped into the respective roles with ease and delivered first rate performances.
Regina (STEPHANIE CHANDOS), gave a faultless showing as the protester against a plan by developer Hertz Klinemann (VAS CONSTANTINE – who was in the 2021 production) to tear down the entertainment venues on ‘Sunset Strip’ and replace them with luxury apartments.
The story is filled with love, and more than its fair share of lust. SAM TURRELL plays up and coming star Drew. He has a rock scream that would make ‘Axl Rose‘ sit up and listen. At one point he belts out the most incredible long and very loud note and literally had us holding our breath waiting for him to finish.
It’s definitely a show that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It is incredibly funny, none more so than Lonny Barnett, played by DARIUS JAMES last night, is the show’s narrator, a would be rock star and second in command at the Bourbon Room, where a lot of the action takes place.
Lonny occasionally breaks that fourth wall and talks to us in our seats. In fact he singled out Emily in last nights audience, even returning in the second half with a placard with ‘I Love Emily‘ written on it. He looks and plays the part brilliantly with a lot of audience interaction.
His ad-Libs are knock-out, as is his voice, which you get to hear in a full on take of ‘I Can’t Fight This Feeling‘ which he sings with Kevin’s character Dennis. It’s actually quite a sweet little moment, with a bit of well timed comedy acrobatics thrown in for good measure.
The cast is complete with PHOEBE SAMUEL-GREY playing the role of ‘Justice’ last night. DAVID BREEDS as ‘Franz Klinenmann’ and ERIN BELL took on the role of ‘Constance’.
The songs are played by one of the best live bands you’ll hear anywhere, who are as much a part of the show as the cast. Musical Director and Keys is LIAM HOLMES, Guitar 1 LIAM STEVENSON, Guitar 2 ALEX WARD, Bass Guitar ELIOT MASON and Drums VITO GUERRIERIi.
The Rock Of Ages set is outstanding. As you can see from the picture above, designer MORGAN LARGE has given it a real festival feel, and actually reminiscent of those 80s gigs when it was all metal frames and speakers. The video projection is a nice touch too, adding some 80s memories to the proceedings.
Add into that some fantastic 80s costumes (which we’ve all worn on a night in Popworld in Swansea) with plenty of denim and leather. And don’t get me started on the big hair and perms – I loved it all. Just as well I took my air guitar with me so I could play along to all those hits.
Rock of Ages is bright and brash, loud and lairy and completely over the top. It is the ultimate 80s rock mix-tape musical (ask your Dad kids!) with songs you’ll be singing at the top of your voice, long after you leave the theatre. By the way, before we left we all got the chance to stand up (and we all did) and rock out with an ensemble rendition of ‘Don’t Stop Believin‘. It was so much fun and for a few minutes I felt I was in an episode of GLEE.
Is this show for you? Absolutely it is. Whether you were a child of the 80s, brought up kids in the 80s, or indeed in your 80s yourself, there is so much to love about the show. Just a little word of warning however, I wouldn’t take young children along, there’s a bit of saucy and sweary stuff in there, which you might not be happy with them seeing.
ROCK OF AGES is a naughty, funny and music filled night, with songs we all know and love. It’s at the Swansea Grand right now through to Saturday 24th June. Performances are at 7:30pm with a 2:30pm matinee show on Thursday and Saturday.
There are ticket prices to suit all pockets from £18 up. You can get more details, and book yours HERE.
