Rock of Ages at the Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury Review
Rock of Ages
Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury
1-5 July 2014
Reviewed by Katherine Christensen
I laughed and smiled so much that my cheeks hurt, my hands were stinging from clapping and my throat was sore from whooping and singing is there anymore to say?? Well, yes lots really.
Last night I was fortunate enough to go to see the amazing Rock of Ages at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre. Rock of Ages is funny, clever, dare I say cheesey and a fantastic show all of which was only enhanced by the lovely venue! The theatre at Aylesbury is relatively new and has been designed both internally and externally with the modern theatre goer in mind. From the moment that you set foot in the foyer the staff were all dressed up with coloured mullets and suitable rock attire! There are plenty of parking options around the theatre and that made the fact we were cutting it slightly close to the start a less stressful experience! The auditorium itself is lovely the seats allow enough legroom and arms pace so that you are not sitting on top of the person next to you!
From the opening number of Just Like Livin’ in Paradise to the last with Don’t Stop Believin’ the show will have you clapping and singing along, the addition of the band being on stage just adds to the feeling that you are at the bourbon room with them – although thankfully no sticky floor!
The stars of the show were excellent and all made you feel part of something special, Ben Richards (Stacie Jaxx) had the perfect amount of arrogance and swagger that you understood why the women would fall at his feet and the band would despise him. Noel Sullivan was amazing as Drew and you believed and hoped that he would succeed, his voice was fantastic and his character truly believable. Cordelia Farnworth as Sherrie was amazing her character had the perfect amount of naivety and belief that she would succeed – her voice, acting and dancing skills were superb! It has to be said at all the actors were amazing, the choreography and singing was spectacular and at no point did you feel anyone was ‘overacting’. A special mention has to be to the character of Lonny (Stephen Rahman-Hughes) his comedic timing along with his voice and dancing skills were fantastic and his audience interaction was perfectly pitched!
All in all a wonderful, energetic show which will get you on your feet by the end!
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £12.90 to £38.90 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).
Rock of Ages is at the Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury until 5 July. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 871 7607.
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 1UG
