Rock of Ages in Winter Gardens Blackpool: Come On Feel the Noise!

Last night, the UK production of Rock of Ages stage-dived into the Winter Gardens Opera House, and the production was as big as the hair on stage! A party thick with guitar solos, bleached denim and 25 huge rock anthems, this jukebox musical is a total riot.

This hit Broadway inspired the 2012 movie, so if you liked that, you’ll LOVE this. It’s loud, brash and sexy, perfect for enjoying a night at the theatre living vicariously through the characters on stage.

Rock of Ages is an LA love story, with the cast attempting to make big dreams come true, and as poignant as the theme suggests, this show excels by not taking itself too seriously with its humour and outrageous rock ‘n’ roll debauchery.

The plot centres around star-crossed lovers Sherrie and Drew, played by Joshua Dever and Jodie Steele. With the threatened demolition of their beloved Bourbon Club, Sherrie is drawn into the murky underworld of the sunset strip, working in a gentleman’s club as Drew becomes jaded by the realities of what it takes to become a world-famous rock star. They made their characters so likeable, had great chemistry and Jodie has one of the best voices we’ve ever heard in a musical - pitch perfect and powerful.

The biggest surprise of the night was Kevin Clifton, whom we’d never seen in anything other than Strictly Come Dancing. He played rock star Stacee Jaxx, quintessential bad boy rocker; lewd, misogynistic and with an enormous ego. Considering Kevin’s huge reputation as a charming and disciplined dancer, we were completely convinced by his character; he’s completely committed to being an arrogant sleazebag this week and we loved his performance!

His voice is absolutely incredible, and of course, his dance moves are over-the-top, complex and perfectly performed. He also has some of the funniest scenes in the show, which had us in actual tears of laughter.



The star of the evening though is of course, Lucas Rush, who played narrator Lonny with hilarious, camp enthusiasm. He steals every scene he appears in, aided by his infectious personality, warmth and ridiculous props. The best bit? He obviously LOVES what he’s doing, from flirting with the audience to getting familiar with Kevin Kennedy (Corrie’s Curly Watts) to REO Speedwagon's I Can't Fight This Feeling.

With well-executed but very raunchy (bordering on lewd) choreography, innuendo aplenty and crude gestures, this show might be an awkward one to enjoy alongside young children or more delicate great aunts, but everyone else will be singing along with its epic soundtrack, including Don’t Stop Believin’, We Built This City, The Final Countdown, Wanted Dead or Alive and Here I Go Again.

Rock of Ages is on at the Winter Gardens Opera House until Saturday. For more information and tickets, click here. Right, time to tune our air guitars, we’re ready to rock all over again!