MULLETS, skin tight jeans, spandex and enough hair spray to rip the o-zone a new hole, Rock of Ages spoofs the hedonism and debauchery of the 80s metal scene in a similar, but astronomically sillier, vein to seminal mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap.
Only this time the amp is cranked up to 12, the mascara is plastered on extra thick and every power ballad crescendo is accompanied by a cascade of pyrotechnics and a gut felt air punch.
You could write the plot on the corner of a soggy beer mat.
It’s the story of two young dreamers living on LA’s notorious Sunset Strip.
Drew (Oliver Tompsett) works in a skuzzy metal bar but wants to be a rock star, while new girl in town Sherrie (Amy Pemberton) hopes to be an actress. Inevitably, they fall for each other.
But the course of true love and rock ‘n’ roll rarely runs smooth and Drew finds impossible competition from metal superstar Stacee Jaxx, played by former X Factor winner Shayne Ward, who is in his element thrusting his crotch to Bon Jovi’s Wanted Dead or Alive and hamming it up in his skimpy undies.
There’s a subplot about developers levelling the Strip to make way for a new shopping mall, but it’s mainly an excuse to shoehorn in songs such as Starship’s We Built This City. This is a jukebox musical after all.
Justin Lee Collins is the biggest name on the cast list, playing bar owner Dennis Dupree, but while he gives a surprisingly restrained and likable performance, it’s his sidekick and narrator Simon Lipkin who steals the show.
He charms the audience into gleeful submission with wonderfully puerile one-liners and self-referential gags.
The rollicking playlist includes anthems by Foreigner, Slade, Journey and Whitesnake, which may be lost on the uninitiated.
However, the cast belt them out with gusto, shamelessly showing off their over the top hairography and air guitar in the billowing dry ice.
Rock of Ages is undoubtedly the most fun you’ll have with your double denim on or off.
So, cue cheesy montage, sax solo, glitter cannon and get ready to rock on. Hopefully for ages.
For tickets, call 020 7379 5399 or visit shaftesburytheatre.com
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