Review: Rock of Ages a story of 'young love, bad hair and power chords'

Despite some first night jitters and tiny tech issues, and a smallish audience that needed a bit of time to warm up, the East Berkshire Operatic Society eventually rocked The Wilde Theatre with their power production of ‘Rock of Ages’.

This story of young love, bad hair and power chords in a city that was built on Rock and Roll, was as banging as the 80s rock classics that the exciting and vibrant cast, most of whom weren’t even born when these rockers were first released, belted out with an array of some fantastic singing voices.

From raw edge throat blasters to big and beautiful ballads, director James Lole had cast performers that he knew would push their performances up to 11!

For me, Phoebe Jerman and Sam Gillett as the lovelorn rock wannabes Sherrie and Drew, stole the singing honours with their fabulous range of vocal styles, while Matthew Harcourt stole the scene stealing award for an outrageous, hilarious and has-to-be seen-to-be-believed performance as drunk, drugged up, debauched Rock God, Stacee Jaxx.

With some raunchy dance moves, ripe language and attitudes of times gone past, this may not be one to bring Granny along to. Mind you, this was probably a reflection of Granny’s era, and she may well have been there, done that and has the T-shirt to prove it.

Ably supported by an extremely strong supporting cast, and a live onstage band, this did end up being a successful first night and if all involved don’t stop believing, then at the final countdown having hit us with their best shot, I can’t fight the feeling that the rest of the run of Rock of Ages is going to make you wanna rock.

Rock of Ages is showing at South Hill Park until Saturday, May 17.