Shoeburyness High School
presents
Rock of Ages (High School Edition)
December 2017
presents
Rock of Ages (High School Edition)
December 2017
Shoeburyness High School are transporting you back to the tail end of the 1980s and those of us who can remember that far back will be reminded of the times where the likes of Bon Jovi, Styx, Journey and Whitesnake were all riding high at the top of the charts.
Rock of Ages takes you to a time where amidst the Hollywood madness, aspiring rock star Drew, longs to take the stage as the next big thing and longs for small-town girl Sherrie, fresh off the bus from Kansas with stars in her eyes. However, the rock and roll fairy-tale is about to end when German developers, Hilda and her son, Franz sweep into town with plans to turn the fabled Strip into just another capitalist strip mall. Can Drew, Sherri and the gang save the strip – and themselves – before it’s too late.
With songs such as Don't Stop Believing, We’re Not Gonna Make It, Wanted Dead or Alive, I Want to Know What Love Is, and Harden My Heart, Rock of Ages will take you back to eighties Hollywood, where the party has been raging hard. Aqua Net hairspray, lycra, lace and liquor flow freely at one of the Sunset Strip's last legendary venues; a place where sex machine, Stacee Jaxx, takes to the stage and scantily clad groupies line up to turn their fantasies into reality?
Shoeburyness High School have a great track record for producing some fabulous shows in the past and Rock of Ages is right up there with the best. The staging is used on two levels and is fully utilised with every inch of it taken up with enthusiastic cast members from Years 7 to 12.
The show, known for its raunchiness, is a toned down High School Edition but still has an awful lot of grit and every member of the cast gives 100%. I never once saw anyone, from the leading performers to the supporting actors and dancers, come out of character which is vital when there is such a big cast - and this really does have a huge cast! From the energetic opening medley, Noize/Paradise/Good Time to the Don’t Stop Believing finale the ensemble singers and dancers never let the pace drop and displayed some really outstanding singing and dancing.
Leading roles have been split throughout the run, aside from the roles of Drew, who is played by Oliver Corkett and Franz played by Reece Emery. Oliver makes a really good fist of the role of Drew and seems to be in his element playing this part. Likewise, with Reece who completely embraces the role of Franz and gets some hugely deserved laughs from the audience with his portrayal of the rather camp German boy who is dominated by his mother, not least in the Hit Me With Your Best Shot number.
The first night saw Edie Jarvis (Mia Doney plays Sherrie on alternate performances) playing the role of Sherrie and who proved that she can very ably sing soft melodies (Harden My Heart) as well as belting out songs such as in the Hate Myself for Lovin’ You/Heat of the Moment duet with Ben Neagen as Stacee Jaxx, the completely vain rock star. Alex Cohen who plays Stacee on alternate performances also gives a good performance and has the most amazing hair - all his own I’m told! I loved them both in I Want to Know What Love Is with lots of comedic moments to be had.
There are some lovely characterisations from all in this production, not least from the roles of Hilda played by Nida Savage and Heidi Boualili; Anita played with fabulous geekiness by Megan Wheaton and Leah Floyd; Justice played by Courtney Emery and Emily Sylvester and the Mayor played by Charlie Guiver and William Lester.
Proving that there is no such thing as a small part are Maisie Chivers and Lauren Ball as Constance and Mother and Tom Hutchins and Kimm Hawes as Father and Producer. A lovely little cameo role goes to Caitlin Ledger and Beau Hurley as Ja’Keith who becomes Drew’s manager in the show.
Stand out roles go to Rowan Brown with some great vocals and Jack Cottham showing some lovely comedic talent, who share the role of Lonny, both of whom have achieved a massive feat of line learning for this part and who really hold the show together as they not only have to become the character but also narrate the proceedings with a confidence which belies their years. The I Can’t Fight This Feeling number with Dennis played alternatively by Andrew Stavrinou and Haydn Neal, is just brilliantly funny and well executed.
With some wonderful rock harmonies and feisty dance moves, Rock of Ages really takes you back to the eighties and you can’t help singing along, especially when Don’t Stop Believin’ concludes the show. I really enjoyed watching the dance numbers and particularly enjoyed the balletic routine in Waiting for a Girl.
The band is really tight and sound amazing. They must be loving the opportunity to rock out with the cast in this production. It’s great to actually see them performing at the top level of the stage, complete in their eighties garb and hair-dos.
Hats off to the production team headed by Heidi Young and Danielle Jameson who have done a marvellous job of putting this show together. Congrats also to all the technical team who have all clearly worked hard to make this show look and sound great although there was the odd moment where a mic could have been turned on sooner.
Judging by the reaction of the first night audience, this show is most definitely a crowd pleaser and will no doubt build in strength from performance to performance. Once again, Shoeburyness High School have set the bar at a high level and I very much look forward to finding out what their next production will be.
Rock of Ages takes you to a time where amidst the Hollywood madness, aspiring rock star Drew, longs to take the stage as the next big thing and longs for small-town girl Sherrie, fresh off the bus from Kansas with stars in her eyes. However, the rock and roll fairy-tale is about to end when German developers, Hilda and her son, Franz sweep into town with plans to turn the fabled Strip into just another capitalist strip mall. Can Drew, Sherri and the gang save the strip – and themselves – before it’s too late.
With songs such as Don't Stop Believing, We’re Not Gonna Make It, Wanted Dead or Alive, I Want to Know What Love Is, and Harden My Heart, Rock of Ages will take you back to eighties Hollywood, where the party has been raging hard. Aqua Net hairspray, lycra, lace and liquor flow freely at one of the Sunset Strip's last legendary venues; a place where sex machine, Stacee Jaxx, takes to the stage and scantily clad groupies line up to turn their fantasies into reality?
Shoeburyness High School have a great track record for producing some fabulous shows in the past and Rock of Ages is right up there with the best. The staging is used on two levels and is fully utilised with every inch of it taken up with enthusiastic cast members from Years 7 to 12.
The show, known for its raunchiness, is a toned down High School Edition but still has an awful lot of grit and every member of the cast gives 100%. I never once saw anyone, from the leading performers to the supporting actors and dancers, come out of character which is vital when there is such a big cast - and this really does have a huge cast! From the energetic opening medley, Noize/Paradise/Good Time to the Don’t Stop Believing finale the ensemble singers and dancers never let the pace drop and displayed some really outstanding singing and dancing.
Leading roles have been split throughout the run, aside from the roles of Drew, who is played by Oliver Corkett and Franz played by Reece Emery. Oliver makes a really good fist of the role of Drew and seems to be in his element playing this part. Likewise, with Reece who completely embraces the role of Franz and gets some hugely deserved laughs from the audience with his portrayal of the rather camp German boy who is dominated by his mother, not least in the Hit Me With Your Best Shot number.
The first night saw Edie Jarvis (Mia Doney plays Sherrie on alternate performances) playing the role of Sherrie and who proved that she can very ably sing soft melodies (Harden My Heart) as well as belting out songs such as in the Hate Myself for Lovin’ You/Heat of the Moment duet with Ben Neagen as Stacee Jaxx, the completely vain rock star. Alex Cohen who plays Stacee on alternate performances also gives a good performance and has the most amazing hair - all his own I’m told! I loved them both in I Want to Know What Love Is with lots of comedic moments to be had.
There are some lovely characterisations from all in this production, not least from the roles of Hilda played by Nida Savage and Heidi Boualili; Anita played with fabulous geekiness by Megan Wheaton and Leah Floyd; Justice played by Courtney Emery and Emily Sylvester and the Mayor played by Charlie Guiver and William Lester.
Proving that there is no such thing as a small part are Maisie Chivers and Lauren Ball as Constance and Mother and Tom Hutchins and Kimm Hawes as Father and Producer. A lovely little cameo role goes to Caitlin Ledger and Beau Hurley as Ja’Keith who becomes Drew’s manager in the show.
Stand out roles go to Rowan Brown with some great vocals and Jack Cottham showing some lovely comedic talent, who share the role of Lonny, both of whom have achieved a massive feat of line learning for this part and who really hold the show together as they not only have to become the character but also narrate the proceedings with a confidence which belies their years. The I Can’t Fight This Feeling number with Dennis played alternatively by Andrew Stavrinou and Haydn Neal, is just brilliantly funny and well executed.
With some wonderful rock harmonies and feisty dance moves, Rock of Ages really takes you back to the eighties and you can’t help singing along, especially when Don’t Stop Believin’ concludes the show. I really enjoyed watching the dance numbers and particularly enjoyed the balletic routine in Waiting for a Girl.
The band is really tight and sound amazing. They must be loving the opportunity to rock out with the cast in this production. It’s great to actually see them performing at the top level of the stage, complete in their eighties garb and hair-dos.
Hats off to the production team headed by Heidi Young and Danielle Jameson who have done a marvellous job of putting this show together. Congrats also to all the technical team who have all clearly worked hard to make this show look and sound great although there was the odd moment where a mic could have been turned on sooner.
Judging by the reaction of the first night audience, this show is most definitely a crowd pleaser and will no doubt build in strength from performance to performance. Once again, Shoeburyness High School have set the bar at a high level and I very much look forward to finding out what their next production will be.