Rock Of Ages – Churchill Theatre, Bromley

Book: Chris D’Arienzo

Director & Choreographer: Nick Winston

Do you Wanna Rock? Are you hoping to have Nothin’ But A Good Time? Then the Rock Of Ages 2023 Farewell Tour will be right up your street.

The Sunset Strip – home to dreamers, performers and rockers such as Drew (Sam Turrell), the all-round good guy who lives and breathes rock and roll and wanting nothing more than to hit the big-time with a record deal. It’s at the famous Bourbon Room owned by Dennis (Kevin Kennedy) that he meets small-town wannabe actress Sherrie (Gabriella Williams) and falls in love, creating a new dream for them both to look towards.

While the sparse storyline is just an easy excuse to cram in as many classic rock songs as possible, the biggest draw with this show is the fact it doesn’t take itself seriously in the slightest. The funniest jokes arise from them lovingly mocking the musical theatre genre, ending act one by going through a checklist of ‘must-do’s’ such as jazz hands alongside an exciting dance number. The crude, easy humour and light-hearted tone of the show makes it an enjoyable watch, so while it doesn’t break any moulds or try too hard, it instead appeases its audience with the sheer simplicity delivered by the talented cast.

Natalie Winsor undoubtedly steals the show with her fantastic vocals and confident on-stage presence. While her role as gentleman club owner Justice may be brief, it’s extremely memorable. Tim Oxbrow as narrator Lonny is everything you would want a host to be – funny and charismatic he amps up the audience energy throughout to match the hard-working cast. Sam Turrell and Gabriella Williams are the picture perfect leads, their on-stage chemistry allowing the cheesy romance plot to come alive, but it’s Dennis and Lonny’s bromance that is the true heart-warmer.

Morgan Large – responsible for the wonderful costume and set design, does a great job of transporting you back to the 1980s, while still perfectly utilising modern elements such as video projections onto the backdrop to signify location or add an additional comedic touch to a scene. The depictions of various places such as the Bourbon Room or the train station are well portrayed, without needing to make huge changes or dramatic differences to each scene. The cast are able to move efficiently through the backdrops, and the absence of needing to clear the stage even momentarily helps each scene transition smoothly to the next.

So Cum On, Feel The Noize and catch this joyful jukebox musical for its Final Countdown. Don’t Stop Believin’ that this mix of classic rock, straightforward storylines and fun energy from the cast will give you a night to remember More Than Words can describe.

Runs until 11 February 2023