 |
| Justin Lee Collins & Shayne Ward (photo by Peter Gibbons) |
|
| Share |
WOS Theatregoers Rock Out with Collins et alDate: 15 September 2011
Last night (14 September) a Whatsonstage.com theatre group of 180 (many in suitably rock T-shirts) descended on the Shaftesbury Theatre for a trip back to the 1980’s with the jukebox musical comedy, Rock of Ages, starring chat show host Justin Lee Collins and X Factor winner, Shayne Ward.
The hit Broadway musical, which only transferred to the West End this month, is set on LA’s Sunset strip in the “mid- to late- eighties”. Drew, Oliver Tompsett (Wicked) and Sherrie, - usually played by Amy Pemberton (Jersey Boys) but last night played by Natalie Andreou - chase their dreams of stardom , set to a background of rock hits from the decade such as “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”, “The Final Countdown” and “Don’t Stop Believin’”. It is a love story in the midst of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
On arrival we were all given free “lighters” which we were to light up and sway in the air when the mood felt right (during the heart-felt songs). This set the tone for a light hearted and relaxed evening with a convert feel, this atmosphere being helped by the availability of beer being served direct to your seat throughout the show.
There was interaction with the audience – including a mention to us Whatsonstage.com matchmakers and some lucky (or unlucky) audience members in the stalls. There was also a cheeky self-awareness, with mentions to the writers of the show, other West End shows and topical eighties news references.
The production is all out glitter and wigs. At one point we were concerned about the amount of pyrotechnics so near to such a vast amount of synthetic material, but there are also streamers, confetti and lasers to provide a visual kaleidoscope. It is a completely feel-good night, which was rounded off with a meet and greet for the Whatsonstage.com crowd, with almost the full cast joining us in the foyer bar to chat about the productions, their cast mates and the fun of the show as a whole.
As always, please feel free to email your comments and thoughts about the show, as well as any of your favourite photos from last night to feedback@whatsonstage.com so we can add them to our facebook page! We would love to hear.
Katherine Graham
Whatsonstage.com Internship Programme
- by Whatsonstage.com Outing
Any opinions expressed above do not represent the view of Whatsonstage.com nor any of its staff or contributors beyond the bylined author.
Related Content
| Other Posts By Whatsonstage.com Outing |
 | Hare, Jackson & Herrin give creative insights at Browning Q&A - 24th Apr 2012 blog |
| Shearsmith & Co. Share about Friends at Q&A - 7th Mar 2012 blog |
| Theatregoers get caught up in record-breaking Mousetrap - 29th Feb 2012 blog |
| Arthur & Co. serve up more laughs at One Man, Two Guvnors Q&A - 12th Apr 2012 blog |
| WOS Radio: Halfpenny & co host post-show Party Q&A - 3rd Apr 2012 blog |
| Purefoy, Smith & Miller Show Flare in Q&A - 29th Mar 2011 blog |
| Singin' In The Rain Co. splash out with WOS theatregoers at reception - 23rd Feb 2012 blog |
| Tyne Daly & co give West End Master Class - 1st Feb 2012 blog |
| Theatregoers mesmerised by Midnight Tango - 26th Jan 2012 blog |
| WOS Theatregoers enjoy Pajama party - 18th Jan 2012 blog |
| | More... |
| |
| Internal Links |
| Shayne Ward, Richard Fleeshman & Backbeat Launch WOS Awards - 14th Nov 2011 news |
| A Criterion for Critics - 7th Oct 2011 blog |
| WOS Radio: The First Critics at the Cri Debate - 6th Oct 2011 news |
| 1st Night Photos: Stars Rock Out at Rock of Ages Gala - 29th Sep 2011 photos |
| Review Round-up: Did Rock of Ages Get Critics Believin'? - 29th Sep 2011 roundup |
| Rock of Ages  - 29th Sep 2011 reviews |
| Photos: Rock of Ages Opens at West End's Shaftesbury - 28th Sep 2011 photos |
| Opening: Playboy, Rock of Ages, Advice, Phantom 25 - 26th Sep 2011 news |
| Brief Encounter With ... Rock of Ages' Justin Lee Collins - 19th Sep 2011 interviews |
| Photos: Rock of Ages Cast Shape up for Shaftesbury - 12th Aug 2011 photos |
| Justin Lee Collins Rocks WOS Mag, Aug/Sep Out Now - 29th Jul 2011 news |
| Tompsett & Lipkin Join Full Rock of Ages Cast - 16th Jun 2011 news |
| Top Five: Shows to See With Your Dad for Father's Day - 13th Jun 2011 features |
| X Factor's Ward in Rock of Ages, Full CFT Singin' - 8th Jun 2011 news |
| Justin Lee Collins Jams in London Rock of Ages - 2nd Jun 2011 news |
| Broadway Rock of Ages Hits Shaftesbury, 31 Aug - 3rd Mar 2011 news |
Click here for blog posts before September 2010
