Forget about the film - this is where it's really at!

Rock of Ages has been adapted for the London stage by starring British favourites Justin Lee Collins (famous for reuniting the A-Team, and his TV chat show) and Shayne Ward, winner of X-Factor's second series. Those raising their eyebrows needn't be worried; Collins as Bourbon Bar owner Dennis Dupree makes a wonderfully gruff, aging hippy; Ward pulls off a hilariously narcissistic performance as anti-hero rock star Stacee Jaxx - no mean feat considering his relative inexperience on the stage. His singing is matched only by Oliver Tompsett, who plays angst-ridden romantic lead Drew.

Rock of Ages, fresh from Broadway and now previewing at the Shaftesbury Theatre, may strike you as another run-of-the-mill jukebox musical. Basing an entire narrative around rock anthems from the Eighties is risky to say the least - but in this case, the risk has paid off extremely well.

The real star is Simon Lipkin as Lonny the Narrator. In character, he is sex-obsessed, cheeky and provides a great comic foil to Dupree. As a narrator, he keeps the audience in stitches whether it be targeting the front five rows with raunchy quips, or just sneaking through the scene hiding behind a pot plant.

From the outset, Lonny makes it clear to the audience that those fearful of jazz hands and glitzy Broadway numbers have nothing to worry about. The premise of a love story is laid out straight away; the two leads, Drew and Sherrie have arrived in LA to chase their dreams of making rock music and acting, respectively but who fall in love despite some miscommunication. Both are instantly likeable, especially the naive Sherrie, played to vulnerably perfection by Natalie Andreou (standing in for Amy Pemberton).

A parallel plotline focuses on the arrival of two German property developers, who threaten to demolish the Bourbon Bar and the wider Sunset Strip  to phase out the 'sleazy' rock scene. The fact that the developers, Hertz (Rohan Tickle) and Franz (Sandy Moffatt), are also father and son inevitably means that there will be trouble down the line. Moffatt's rebellious Franz channels a younger, version of campy Gil Chesterton in Frasier, almost manages to steal every scene he appears in, especially when making romantic overtures to female protestor Regina (pronounced Reg-yna), played with excellent singing and comedy by Jodie Jacobs.

The female ensemble cast are skimpily dressed and their dancing overtly sexual (hey, it's rock and roll); however they more than match up to the main characters when singing and acting.

My only criticism would be that club classic singer Rachel McFarlene is sadly underused thoughout as the matronly brothel owner Justice. Comparisons can be drawn with the dragon from Shrek The Musical and Mama Morton from Chicago; only seemingly wheeled out for the jazzy numbers where a strong female voice is needed.

Throughout, the cast also makes a point of breaking the fourth wall with self-knowing references; just before the interval Lonny brandishes a copy of Musicals for Dummies before launching a cast-wide rendition of Whitesnake's Here I Go Again - with jazz-hands thrown in for laughs at the end.

The tracklist features mostly Eighties' commercial rock tunes, chosen to keep the narrative flowing and the audience happy. No huge surprises here - the list includes Bon Jovi's Wanted Dead or Alive (sung with gusto by Ward), Slade's Cum on Feel the Noize and Journey's Don't Stop Believing. In fact, these wouldn't be out of place in Supernatural, given Dean Winchester's penchant for rock anthems.

Great night out: for friends and couples, and those who don't usually "do musicals". Leave the kids at home for this one though
Morning after effect: singing "I Can't Fight This Feeling" in the shower
Recommend to friends: Hell yeah! (extend index and little finger in 'rock out' gesture)
Best bit: Dennis and Lonny's heartfelt duet over the Fogmaster 5000 machine

Review Date: 14th September 2011

View our show pages for more information about Rock Of Ages, Shaftesbury Theatre.