search
date/time
Yorkshire Times
A Voice of the Free Press
frontpagebusinessartscarslifestylefamilytravelsportsscitechnaturefictionCartoons
Graham Clark
Music Features Writer
@Maxximum23Clark
9:46 AM 28th June 2014
arts

Rock Of Ages - Alhambra Theatre, Bradford

 
Following a successful run in the West End in London this new musical is now on a nationwide tour.

Bradford was certainly rocked with this entertaining and in parts hilarious show.

With rock bands such as Steel Panther bringing mid 1980's rock back into fashion the show appears to be perfectly timed. Featuring a soundtrack that has songs from Journey, Whitesnake, Mr Big, Asia, Poison, Extreme and Bon Jovi you can be sure of having a good time. Some of these bands actually performed in Bradford up the road at the Queens Hall which has now been re-developed into a pub, which ironically follows the plot of tonight's musical

This was an era when the bands were glamorous, the songs and the bands were nearly as big as the hair styles!

Starring Noel Sullivan (from Hear'say) as Drew and down on his luck rocker Stacee Jaxx (Ben Richards) the show does have a storyline to go with all these glorious rock songs. Richards's plays a very convincing role as a mid 80's rock star whilst Sullivan has grown his hair and looks too like he is a rocker.

The Bourbon Room is a rock club on Sunset Strip in LA that is going to be pulled down as German business man Herz Klinemann (played with a wicked sense of humour by Jack Lord) who wants to re-develop the area. Of course there is a love twist to the storyline as Drew meets Sherrie (Cordela Farnworth) and the songs performed come in to their own.

The humour between Klinemann's son, Franz (Cameron Sharp) provides some funny moments and the duo work well together.

The show ends on a high and mention should go to the accomplished 4 piece band that plays all the songs in the show.

Even if you are not a fan of rock music or do not know the songs it feels like the tracks have been written specially for the show as they work well in the context of the production and they fit in really well. It is as if they had been written for the show.

A standing ovation which is justified is reserved for the final song, Don't Stop Believin'. This is definitely a show to believe in. If you want a fun night out with songs that will have you singing along long after you have left the theatre you will not be disappointed.

Runs until Saturday 28 June, tickets available from: www.bradford-theatres.co.uk

Also returns to Yorkshire from 1 week from Monday 1 September at York Grand Opera House, tickets available from: http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/rock-of-ages/grand-opera-house-york/