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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2018 0:25:55 GMT
The set for this is shocking / non existent. I am not sure who is producing this show but compared to the previous tour and west end production this is embarrassing. Its just steel beams holding the lights and a screen at the top of the stage towards the back with fake speakers and the band under the screen. Show was cast well with the exception of Kevin Kennedy, felt like he didn't know what he was doing and under rehearsed. I know this show was cheesy to start with but they have really ramped up the cheese, bordering on cringey at times. Kevin Kennedy skipping around the stage holding a radio is something I could have done without. its uncomfortable as an audience member when the audience is laughing at an actor rather than with an actor. not his fault just very weird direction.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2018 7:37:04 GMT
It’s Selladoor which probably explains the lack of set with this production.
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Post by danb on Sept 23, 2018 8:14:17 GMT
Y’know? We’d probably complain if the ticket prices were excessive for this. Sell-a-door at least try and tour shows in an affordable way for both production & audience. Sometimes they are good, oftentimes they are not but at least they are another producing ‘house’ putting stuff out there that might otherwise not exist at all. Do they have to abide by equity minimum rules etc? Do they look after their casts and crews? Do people that work for them feel exploited? Let’s get these answers first before we knock everything they do. Because reading up on them it just sounds like they want to bring accessible & popular productions to audiences. ‘Fame’, ‘Footloose’ and ‘Madagasgar’ are all recognisable titles and if they give someone their first job and get them on the ladder then that’s no bad thing to me; likewise if it gives someone their first taste of live theatre for less than the price of a ‘Wicked’ ticket.
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Post by Michael on Sept 23, 2018 8:55:16 GMT
I did see both shows yesterday and I do agree with @allthingsstagey.
Also wasn’t quite happy with some of the changes they‘ve done: no David Coverdale welcoming us, no Candy, no Dream Sherrie (they did have a Dream Dennis in Can’t fight this Feeling though), no programme scene (just a short comment about how bad the movie was) - this reminded me once again how badly Simon Lipkin is missed in this and if it wasn’t for him and his ad-libbing, I wouldn’t have become the fan of the show that I am -, no “sparkle” during High Enough and they’ve cut Drew’s “I want something” between Oh Sherrie and The Search is over. Actually, the bum in the train station ruined the entire scene for me. I also didn’t quite like that the band is off stage most of the time.
All in all, I’m rather unimpressed. Seeing the show again in Manchester next weekend, hopefully they’ve changed some things until then.
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Post by welsh_tenor on Sept 26, 2018 14:53:59 GMT
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Post by stevej678 on Sept 26, 2018 15:25:14 GMT
Seeing it in all its one star glory this evening!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2018 15:50:21 GMT
I read the review and got the impression she was expecting some groundbreaking, revolutionary performance that would change the face of sexism, fascism and equality forever. Its Rock of Ages. Based on the movie of the same name; it's a fairly rudimentary take on the 80's US music scene and as such is more than likely to feature some male-to-female sexual prowess at its core. |
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Post by mallardo on Sept 26, 2018 15:58:54 GMT
Indeed, the lady's intense preoccupation with the frank sexuality in the show makes it a one star "money" review.
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Post by richey on Sept 26, 2018 16:59:58 GMT
Seeing it in all its one star glory this evening! Me too! Just lowered my expectations |
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Post by Mark on Sept 26, 2018 17:06:48 GMT
I read the review and got the impression she was expecting some groundbreaking, revolutionary performance that would change the face of sexism, fascism and equality forever. Its Rock of Ages. Based on the movie of the same name; it's a fairly rudimentary take on the 80's US music scene and as such is more than likely to feature some male-to-female sexual prowess at its core. The stage musical came long before the film! Seems she just didn’t like the content... nothing about the performances were mentioned. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2018 18:00:25 GMT
I read the review and got the impression she was expecting some groundbreaking, revolutionary performance that would change the face of sexism, fascism and equality forever. Its Rock of Ages. Based on the movie of the same name; it's a fairly rudimentary take on the 80's US music scene and as such is more than likely to feature some male-to-female sexual prowess at its core. The stage musical came long before the film! Seems she just didn’t like the content... nothing about the performances were mentioned. Oops, wow, thanks for the correction. Didn’t know that. |
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Post by daniel on Sept 26, 2018 18:36:36 GMT
See I saw it last night and actually really enjoyed it. I loved the West End and 1st touring production so my expectations were rock bottom for this but I was pleasantly surprised. The reason it worked for me is that they didn't try to "do a Hairspray", by which I mean a cheapened, knock off version of the previous tour. This was a new production in its own right. The set is perfectly adequate for the production, and it really isn't that reduced from the last tour. The lighting design was great. I thought the cast were fab! Lucas Rush was brilliant as Lonny. The best thing he could do was to not try and copy Simon Lipkin, I think he really made the role his own. He had the audience eating out of his hand and he actually was really funny. In truth the entire cast were brilliant except perhaps Curly Watts. He was a little bit out of his depth if I'm honest. I'm always front of the queue to criticise a crap show but I do have to defend this one. If you go in expecting the West End show them sure, you're probably going to be disappointed. But go in expecting a fun evening and a show that doesn't take itself too seriously, well you may just have a surprise  |
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Post by stevej678 on Sept 26, 2018 19:49:16 GMT
Have to agree daniel. Really enjoying this so far. Danielle Hope and Lucas Rush are fabulous, loving Rhiannon Chesterman as Regina too. Very pleasantly surprised! |
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Post by richey on Sept 26, 2018 19:49:25 GMT
What an over sexualised mess. I've lost count of the number of times scantily clad women just have to bend over sugggestively and it's only the end of act one. I don't remember the first tour being this overt about it. And as for the German stereotyping....
Kevin kennedy can't act or sing and it's pitiful seeing Danielle Hope stripping to a bra to get laughs.
The staging is pretty spectacular but don't get me started about the use of light-up umbrellas and kid's toys for transport. It would seem Bat Out of Hell is influencing current choreography trends too.
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Post by richey on Sept 27, 2018 7:17:26 GMT
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Post by stevej678 on Sept 27, 2018 13:27:33 GMT
Selladoor seem to be on a role at the moment with the UK tour of Fame featuring a terrific ensemble of young talent and it's much the same with this new production of Rock of Ages.
Great to see Danielle Hope as Sherrie in something very different to Maria/Dorothy mode. She can certainly belt out an Eighties rock classic or two and makes for a hugely likable lead! Her duets with Zoe Birkett are quite something. Just a shame that Zoe is relatively underused in the production as a whole, although I suspect the roof may no longer be attached to the Opera House if she had sung any more! I also really enjoyed Rhiannon Chesterman's Regina - great comic timing, sublime vocals and a nice sparky characterisation.
If Rhiannon and Danielle are the heart of the production, the man holding it all together is Lucas Rush. Lucas was the best thing about Thoroughly Modern Millie and he looks to be in his element here, his ad-libs with the audience ("Thank you, one person" as a joke elicited a solitary chuckle) being a particular highlight.
One thing I wasn't expecting was meta theatre jokes galore but the way the production doesn't take itself remotely seriously, knows it's cheesy as hell and makes no apology for it, is what makes it work so well. The use of kid's cars fitted with that approach rather well, I thought.
As Daniel said, the lighting looks great and while there's minimal scene transitions, the different spaces are created effectively. The whole aesthetic works really well. ATG got into the spirit of things too, getting the ushers and box office staff to ditch the usual black trousers and waistcoasts for ripped jeans and t-shirts. Parsley may have left in disgust before even taking his seat.
Four stars.
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Post by stevej678 on Oct 16, 2018 19:40:49 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2018 21:38:46 GMT
Well that trailer was slightly headache-inducing, but the young cast look enthusiastic and perky which is good to see. Having seen Danielle as Sandy, it's so weird seeing her in a totally different role. Goodbye to Sandra Dee!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2018 22:05:46 GMT
Two things that really stood out to me from that trailer was the lighting which looks amazing, and Danielle who also looks amazing! Makes it a real shame that she looks this stunning in Rock of Ages yet she looks awful on the Snow White posters!  |
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Post by showgirl on Jan 24, 2019 5:36:24 GMT
This wasn't even on my radar (& maybe the thread should be renamed or amended for 2019?), but a 5-star review on Reviewshub today attracted my attention. Either the new version is far better or was completely congruent with the reviewer's taste - or both - but it reads as "unmissable".
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Post by No. on Feb 15, 2019 17:47:14 GMT
Anybody been to this since Kevin started? Really intrigued to see how he is
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Post by cheesy116 on Feb 15, 2019 19:32:03 GMT
Anybody been to this since Kevin started? Really intrigued to see how he is I saw his 1st show and he's excellent, he's got one hell of a rock voice. I've never seen the show before though so I don't have anything to compare him to. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2019 0:47:45 GMT
First time post.Thanx to theatremonkey for his amazingly helpful site.After 40 years as a massive musical theatre fan in the west end and all over uk tonite was left in jaw-dropping shock after I saw Rock Of Ages complete with goose-stepping German property developers(in a show set in 80’s America),lurid scenes of simulated oral sex,a character set on fire for comedy effect and numerous other bizarre directorial decisions.Bad taste throughout and a show so amateuristic that it was unforgettable for all the wrong reasons.Having seen Company,Come From Away and Waitress recently,I guess I must have been spoilt somewhat.
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Post by sazzy on Apr 14, 2019 15:49:14 GMT
I saw this last night for it's final showing in Eastbourne with Antony Costa as Stacee Jaxx and I found the whole thing quite bizarre. I don't know how Kevin Clifton was in the role but Antony didn't really live up to expectations and his singing voice although quite powerful didn't really hit some of the high notes. Lucas Rush definitely stole the show for me with his portrayal of Lonny. The show was fun and energetic but overly sleazy and although I loved the music I really didn't have a clue what was going on and struggled to hear a lot of the lines clearly. The set and lighting was good for a touring show but it did come across as being slightly amateurish and I half expected Benny Hill to come running out at some points, chasing scantily clad women around in circles. It's not my favourite rock musical but I did have a good laugh and there were certainly quite a few super fans in the audience who found it highly amusing, including one guy sitting behind me who seemed to know all the lines and was singing along very loudly until somebody told him to shut up.
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Post by danb on Apr 15, 2019 17:35:56 GMT
As hideous as this sounds (love the cast recording, hated the film...whats a man to do?) has anyone seen any offers for Bristol? It is less than a quarter sold on Weds night so I’m buggered if I’m gonna pay full price. I haven’t been moved down from the upper circle in Bristol for ages so I’m not sure I’d want to risk buying a cheap ticket incase I got stuck at the back of the gods but if there was a travelzoo type offer I could be tempted.
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