Members Area
Members Area
Sunshine Productions
The Blakehay Theatre, Weston-super-Mare
Friday 17th June 2016
It is Friday: and so to the Blakehay to see the much-anticipated Rock of Ages. There is very little anyone could teach the remarkable Robbie Burns’ Sunshine Productions about delivering a musical theatre show. They are a team of exceptionally talented individuals with a gift for producing sparkling, exciting and fun musical theatre events. The simple fact that Laura Grace Leadbetter was at the directorial helm, following her past triumphs with Jesus Christ Superstar and very recently, Legally Blonde, gave me considerable confidence that this would be a good night. Combine Laura’s abilities with those of the superb Musical Director Richard Lennox and talented Choreographer
Nina Blackwell and my confidence was doubled. Thus it was with a sense of genuine excitement and huge expectation that I took my seat in the steamy and atmospheric auditorium.
The room had the feel of a nineteen eighties rock concert about it (I remember losing millions of brain-cells regularly head-banging to Motorhead, Thin Lizzie, Rory Gallagher et al at the old Colston Hall): smoke-machine misty, hot and sweaty atmosphere complete with an exciting stage setting crowned by a full drum kit. All that was missing was the smell of patchouli oil and some drunken rocker shouting ‘Wally’. The stage looked great: A pair of staircases left and right, leading to a gantry holding the drummer, the rest of a rock band sitting beneath. Bright club-signs, video screens, a bar and a large display of gold-discs and G-strings evoked that slightly grubby, sleazy nineteen-eighties feel. The lighting rig, including impressive moving-head units and many vertical blinders added hugely.
The story? Hmm, well….not much really: A rock night-club is threatened with closure by property developers but manages to avoid the closure. Thin? –certainly. Does it matter? – Nope. Yes there are love stories woven through the narrative but nothing of great meaning or import but that’s not the point of this show. It’s all about the music Baby.
The music –nearly all big, eighties AOR belters– is great – the band was flawless and the singing from every performer was at least very good and sometimes excellent. The dialogue, unfortunately was often lost to the audience and much of the clever humour and neat, funny scripted references too. I have had issues in the past with the sound for some Sunshine shows and for this show in particular, it was definitely the weakest link. Whenever a performer was delivering dialogue supported by underscoring from the band the words were often, through no fault of the performer’s, unintelligible. There appeared to be plenty of power available: the closing number was certainly loud enough but there was a lack of quality. *
Performances: Adam Hunter as the Narrator, Lonny Barnet was funny and engaging and showed us some strong singing and decent dance moves. I was a little uncertain about his delivery early in the piece but as the evening progressed his strength of performance and confidence appeared to grow. Michael Griffiths was Drew Boley the underdog wannabe rock-star- This was a superb performance: strong acting talent, timing, great singing and dance. Michael’s on-stage love interest (also his real-life love-interest – as they are married) the ingénue Sherrie Christian was played by the equally superb Emma Griffiths. Emma’s singing, acting and dancing talents are myriad and both actors, to highly believable effect, delivered the interplay between Drew and Sherrie with real precision. Cy Boddy’s hippy Dennis Dupree was a character performance, featuring Cy’s great, rock voice, great comic timing and a degree of OTT which was perfectly pitched. Ian Pring gave us the unpleasant and narcissistic rock star Stacee Jaxx complete with mirror shades, tight jeans and white boots, he looked and sounded just right. I suspect that rock singing has been taking a toll on the voices of several performers more used to the musical theatre style and at one point Ian’s voice appeared to wobble a little, though he recovered superbly. I was surprised to not hear more vocal-hoarseness from other cast members but I must assume that, impressively, good technique has won-through.
Natasha T Green, always very easy on the eye and ear in any of the many, many of her performances I have enjoyed around the region, gave us a brilliant Mamma (including an unexpected and impressive saxophone break). The remarkable Leah Farmer played Regina with her usual combination of energy, charm, confidence and a terrific voice. The german Klinemann baddies Franz and Hertz were played by Rob Tilke and Ian Taylor: Rob’s very funny, camp take on his part worked well, as did Ian’s huge presence and great singing.
Supporting roles: Adele Stitch as Candi, Tessa Sayers as Constance Sack, Kevin Wheeler as Ka’keith Gill, Craig Sillick as Producer and the Mayor, Dan Leese as Joey Primo and Jodie Gibson as Waitress all also doubled as the Ensemble with the addition of Flora-Kate Lacy. All gave 100% as a minimum. Ensemble singing was very powerful whilst maintaining musicality and structure perfectly.
Choreography was tight, hugely energetic and great to watch – Nina Blackwell, despite her benign appearance, must be a vicious task-mistress as choreographer!
Costume, make-up and wigs – Gail LeGuilcher and the company taking responsibility, were great too: The spirit of the story’s period being reflected in suitably sexy, rocky style.
Direction was tidy and effective – Rock of Ages needs to be pacey and sharp yet allowing a ‘behind-the-mask’ wink to the audience and this was well achieved. Had the sound system been better a good deal more of the show’s humour would have worked more effectively and the entire show might have moved to an even higher level.
The show ended with one of the most powerful and uplifting finales I have enjoyed in a very long time as the full cast blew us away with Don’t Stop Believing. What a great end to the night. Well done Sunshine. I, for one, hope that you all go on and on and on and on.
Thanks
Ian.
*Please note that I have edited this piece, having incorrectly suggested that the Blakehay Theatre was responsible for sound issues. They are not.