SOUTHEND THEATRE SCENE
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
    • Main feature writer - Kim Tobin
  • COMING UP
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
    • David Streames Interview
    • Daniel O'Donnell
    • Matt Wycliffe Interview - Million Dollar Quartet
    • Ian Anderson - Jethro Tull
    • Tony Stockwell Interview
    • Priscilla Queen of the Desert Tour - Interview with Emma Crossley
    • Phil Walker - Guitar Heroes
    • Rock for Heroes Review
    • Once the Musical - We interview Daniel Healy & Emma Lucia as we are invited to watch the cast rehearse!
    • The Overtones 2019
    • Derren Brown - Showman
    • Stephen K Amos Interview
    • Geoff Norcott INTERVIEW
    • Diversity and Kev Orkian Interviews
    • Giles Cooper talks about Nigel Slater's TOAST
    • Kristian Lavercombe - Riff Raff - Rocky Horror Show
    • Dan Partridge & Martha Kirby talk Grease the Musical
    • Village Green Festival 2019
    • Lee Mead, David Streames & Richard Foster
    • Craig Revel Horwood
    • Jenny Gayner
    • Nigel Slater
    • Alex Bourne Interview - Annie Tour 2019
    • Beverley Craven Interview
    • Gary Barlow and Tim Firth Interview - Calendar Girls
    • Tom Stade 2019 Interview
    • Karen Gibson - The Kingdom Choir
    • AJ Pritchard
    • Jonathan Wrather - The Picture of Dorian Gray - Tilted Wig Productions
    • Kevin Clifton & Graziano Di Prima Interview - Burn the Floor
    • Elesha Paul Moses Interview - Tina Turner - What's Love Got To Do With It?
    • Juliet Mills & Maxwell Caulfield Interview
    • Juliet Mills Interview
    • Holly Liburd - The Bodyguard
    • Alexandra Burke - The Bodyguard
    • Janine Duvitski Interview
    • Matthew Kelly & David Yelland
    • Aled Jones Interview
    • Quadrophenia Live Interview with Doug Freeman
    • Diversity's Ashley Banjo, Jordan Banjo, Perri Kiely & Terry Smith
    • Ali James & James Cranfield
    • Ed Speleers, Mairi Barclay & Adam Lilley
    • Rachel Lumberg & Faye Christall Interview
    • Rain Main - Mathew Horne & Ed Speleers
    • Charles Sharman-Cox
    • Matt Terry & Antoine Murray-Straughan
    • Collabro Road to the Royal Albert Hall Interview
    • Steve Michaels - Elvis
    • Paul Young Interview
    • Joe Pasquale
    • Jersey Boys Interview
    • Colin Blunstone - The Zombies
    • Dave Kelly - The Blues Band
    • Clive John - Johnny Cash Roadshow
    • Paul Opacic & Richard Walsh
    • Vincent Simone & Flavia Cacace
    • Alexander O'Neal Interview
    • Kevin Whately - Our Finest Hour
    • Jenny Eclair - Grumpy Old Women Tour
    • Séan Aydon - Great Expectations
    • Joe McElderry Live in Concert
    • Nichola McAuliffe Interview
    • Natalie Anderson & Jonathan Halliwell
    • Geoff Norcott Interview
    • Mark Steel - Comedian Interview
    • Debra Stephenson & Alice Barlow
    • Dr Feelgood's Kevin Morris
    • Ali James Interview - Oh Yes It Is!
    • Tom Stade Interview
    • Sarah Earnshaw - Nativity the Musical
    • Karina Jones - Wait Until Dark
    • The Stylistics
    • Tom Chambers & Charlotte Wakefield
    • Jessie Wallace - Deathtrap
    • Paul Bradley - Deathtrap
    • George Kemp - The Wipers Times
    • Joe McElderry - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
    • Ian Hislop & Nick Newman - The Wipers Times
    • Chris Simmons, All or Nothing the Musical
    • Caroline Flack, Tom Chambers Interview
    • Ruth Madoc
    • Scott Reid - Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time
    • Samuel Clemens, Director
    • Elizabeth Elvin
    • Ray Cooney - Out of Order
    • Susie Amy
    • Sue Holderness
    • Shaun Williamson
    • Carrie Hope Fletcher & Oliver Ormson
    • Geoff Norcott
    • Navi - King of Pop
    • Damian Williams Interview
    • Carrie Hope Fletcher Interview
    • Samantha Womack Interview
    • Les Dennis Interview
    • Clive Mantle - The Verdict
    • Stephen Bailey Interview
    • Steve Hackett Interview
    • Alastair Whatley - The Original Theatre Company
    • Paul Carrack Interview
    • Janine Johnson - Back to Bacharach Interview
    • Lewis Griffiths - Dirty Dancing
    • Ben Portsmouth Elvis Tribute
    • Paul Nicholls - Shawshank Redemption
    • Anne Odeke - Night Must Fall
    • Elaine Paige
    • Jimmy Osmond - Christmas Extravaganza
    • Brian Conley & Gok Wan
    • Jonathan Kiley - Qdos Pantomine Producer
    • Lee Mead - Some Enchanted Evening
    • Maximum Rhythm & Blues
    • Joe McElderry - Northern Light Tour
    • Carol Harrison - All or Nothing
    • Paul Cattermole - The Rocky Horror Show
    • Tommy Steele
    • Cheryl Baker - Formerly of Bucks Fizz
    • Gabrielle Cocca from Cats the Musical
    • PJ Proby Interview
    • Ashleigh & Pudsey - Mission ImPudseyble
    • I'm Cold - Alex Thorn
    • Mon Amie - supporting Jason Donovan
    • Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
    • Richard Ede - The 39 Steps
    • Collabro
    • The Searchers
    • Fanny Galore
    • Paul Carrack
    • Rose Marie
    • Gary Wilmot, Noel Sullivan, Carley Stenson
    • Megan Terry
    • Sharon Rose - Little Eva in West End's Beautiful
    • Roy Chubby Brown - Britain's Rudest Comedian
    • Fascinating Aida's Dillie Keane
    • Ben Portsmouth - Elvis Tribute Artist
    • Ugly Sisters, Martin Ramsdin & David Robbins - Cinderella
    • Lauren Hall (Cinderella)
    • Michael Harrison, West End Producer
    • Brian Conley
    • Sharon Rose - X Factor
    • The Bodyguard - Zoe Birkett Interview
    • Alex Bourne (Daddy Warbucks)
    • Michael Corbidge Royal Shakespeare Company
    • Ashton Moore - Samson
    • Joe Pasquale
    • Phill Jupitus
    • Michael Sharp Playwright
    • Ray Cooney OBE
  • MUSIC
  • YOUTUBE
  • Features
    • Echoes From Essex
    • Immersive Actor Training
    • Afternoon Tea at the Cliffs Pavilion
    • N-Act Theatre Stage - Village Green
    • Chameleon Productions
    • Sheku Kanneh-Mason
    • Aladdin - Panto Cast Announcement
    • Sounds Familiar Music Quiz
    • N-Act Theatre in Schools
    • Ray Cooney comes to see Lindisfarne perform his play
    • Theatre Etiquette
    • Leigh Operatic & Dramatic Society's Backstage Crew
Picture
Shoeburyness High School
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.

Home

About

MUSIC

INTERVIEWS

FEATURES

Copyright © 2015