Review: Rock Of Ages (Film) - I would just go and see the show

Rock Of Ages (Film)
Directed by Adam Shankman
Released 15th June 2012

When I heard that Rock Of Ages was being made into a film, I presumed it would be similar to the musical - a light hearted fun night out. I did not expect to be sitting there, cringing for the majority of the two hour film.

The reason that the musical works so well is because it doesn't take itself too seriously. The story is light hearted and the character of Lonny narrates the show making it a perfect, chilled, fun night out. However, in the film the storyline is completely serious and simply does not work. The first scene sees Sherrie travelling to Los Angeles on a packed bus with hopes of making it as a singer. I could tell she was about to start singing and I found myself sitting there praying that she didn't. But of course... she did. Then I joked to my friends that the whole bus would start singing and sure enough, one by one each passenger started to join in. It was terrible. I honestly had tears rolling down my cheeks as I was cringing so much. The thought that I had to sit through another two hours of this film terrified me. 

The films saving grace is Russel Brand. If it wasn't for his fantastic performance as Lonny there is no way I would have given this film more than one star. His scene with Alec Baldwin where they sing 'Can't Fight This Feeling' was just as funny as in the musical and this time I had tears rolling down my cheeks for the right reasons. 

Tom Cruise played a hardcore Stacee Jaxx! I liked the fact he had a completely different interpretation of the character which is what I want to see in a film version of a musical. His entrance was amazing but I won't spoil it in case anybody does actually want to see the film. 

Diego Boneta and Julianne Hough were fine as Drew and Sherrie. Their voices were good and their acting was predictable. They didn't bring anything new to the roles. Julianne Hough looked a lot like Susan McFadden and to be honest I would have much preferred to have watched Susan play the role. 

Mary J. Blige was good as Justice but producers obviously wanted to get their moneys worth and found a way to slot her into every single song which is strange as her character is so irrelevant to the story. Alec Baldwin was also good. He had a lot of chemistry with Russel Brand (thank god). I found it really awkward to watch Catherine Zeta-Jones as Patricia Whitmore. It just felt so fake and I advice you to just ignore her backing dancers as they were also incredibly cringey.

Rock Of Ages is nothing like musical films of Dreamgirls and Mamma Mia. After watching these films you almost feel the urge to stand up and give a round of applause. If I was you I wouldn't waste your hard earned cash on buying a ticket to see Rock Of Ages in the cinema, just wait till it comes out on Sky Movies so you can cringe alone in the comfort of your own home with affordable home made popcorn. Alternately go and see the musical at The Shaftesbury Theatre starring Shayne Ward and Justin Lee Collins. 

Visit http://www.rockofagesmusical.co.uk/ for more information regarding the musical. 

Review: Legally Blonde The Musical - A Must See Before 7 April 2012

Legally Blonde The Musical
The Savoy Theatre

In August 2010 I was practically bullied into going by a friend. Arriving at the incredible Savoy Theatre I was planning to sit there and make it clear I was not enjoying it, however from beginning to end I sat there with the biggest smile on my face and left walking down the stand singing 'oh my god, oh my god you guys' (I would have said I was holding it in but that would be a lie). It has to be said though that for me, the reason it was so amazing was because of the incredibly talented Sheridan Smith. Not because of her strong voice or comic timing but because of that relationship she created with the audience and the way she completely understood the character she was playing. The best thing about her portrayal of Elle was that because she is nothing like her in real life, she played her in a way, where it was like she was almost taking the mickey out of her. This is why I think British people loved her because they related with her and were almost laughing at the Americans. Also other actors in the show did this and it was as if they were taking the mickey out of there own characters.

Susan McFadden as Elle

Once Susan McFadden took over the role, that extra omph Sheridan brought left the show. Susan was the best vocalist to ever play Elle in my opinion and her acting was also good, I loved her sarcasm, however she didn't lead the show and didn't create that relationship with the audience. However I do think Carley has started to bring this back to the show. Also I think Tamara Wall and  Denise Van Outen were also good at creating that relationship with the audience.

I also love the three friends who follow Elle round in the show. I once saw, Pilar, Lucy & Emma together and they were soooo funny together, adding lots of bits in. Legally Blonde also has tones of great songs across all different genres! I thought it would just be poppy music and when 'oh-my-god' started I feared the whole show would be like that however I love how funny 'Serious' is. 'What You Want' is also great and I love how so much time passes during that song. It also includes a bit of rap. The 'Gay Or European' is so so funny and is just like Old British Theatre.

Something else that shows that Legally Blonde is so great is that all three Elle's have gone on to do great things. Since leaving Legally Blonde Sheridan smith has filmed 6 films and is Currently filming a new ITV drama in which she plays the title role 'Mrs Biggs'. Susan McFadden is currently touring America having joined 'Celtic Woman'. And as I previously wrote about on the blog Carley Stenson is joining the cast of Shrek and is to perform in her first cabaret. Also I'm pleased for Swing Ruthie Stephenson who is to be the Dance Captain on the new Starlight Express UK Tour!

If you haven't seen Legally Blonde you must see it before it closes in a few weeks! The whole cast always put all their effort into every performance and I grantee you will leave feeling uplifted!

Ben Freeman & Carley Stenson will star as 
Warner & Elle until the end of the current west end run

What's On Stage Awards 2012 - My Views

So, as many of you west end theatre fans will know, a week ago today (Sunday 19 February 2012) the 'Whats On Stage' Awards 2012 took place at the Prince of Wales Theatre. This was the first year that the show was broadcast online so, throughout the evening I dipped in and out of the broadcast. I thought that it was excellent that you could watch it online, this follows in the footsteps of the Laurence Olivier Awards which last year could be seen by pressing the red button. However I did feel the coverage wasn't brilliant and the presenter (not quite sure who he has) seemed a little bit lost throughout the interviews however I did feel sorry as nobody seemed to actually answer the questions being asked.

Anyway, the voting statistics and acceptance speeches have been published on Whats On Stage and can be viewed by clicking here. 

Cassie Levy with Richard Fleeshman
(winner of 'Best Actor In A Musical')

I was very happy at Ghost picking up more technical awards for Set Design and Lighting Design as technically  I think it is the bets show I have ever seen. However thing I loved most about Ghost is the way one seconds all these special effects would be used and you would be sitting there going 'wow this looks amazing' and then suddenly the next Cassie Levy just sat on the floor, leaning on a sofa and sung arguably one of the most beautiful songs of a new musical. For that reason I think it was a great shame she was overlooked in the Best Actress In A Musical award. I saw Cassie in her last performance in the west end, before leaving to Broadway and there is something about her voice, when you here it live that is just amazing. In Rain/Hold on she hit the most incredible notes and I am sure she will do amazing in Broadway and I'm sure she will pick up more awards. Richard Fleeshman must have been happy to get his hard eared award for best actor in a play, especially as he flew back from Broadway, especially for the awards! Also do not be mistaken and think I am saying Amanda Holden didn't deserve her award as despite what some critics and theatre fans said i thought she actually was very good in Shrek. She owned the stage and led the cast which is something missing from the show now that she has gone, like when Sheridan Smith left Legally Blonde.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's
reaction to his award...

I thought it was great Hannah Waddingham won best supporting actress for a musical as I thought she was great in the wizard of oz. I really like what Andrew Lloyd Webber did with the show and I think it transformed the Wicked Witch into a much better, more exciting part so she has much to thank Webber for! For that reason I also think it was right The Wizard Of Oz won best revival. 

Nigel Harmen finishes in Shrek The Musical tomorrow night, Neil McDermott must be feeling very nervous today as he has a very tough act to follow! Nigel is hilarious as Lord Farquaad and rightly won Best Supporting Actor In A Musical. Another show winning three awards was Matilda, this only makes me want to see it more as I have only heard amazing things about it! I've got the soundtrack which is slowly growing on me and I will be sure to write a full review after I see it in the coming months. Another show that I have yet to see that did well was One Man, Two Guvnors, I think I am going to wait until it is at The Royal Haymarket as it is my favourite theatre.

Susan McFadden with the
cast of Legally Blonde

...and finally Best Takeover Of A Role must have been one of the toughest categories at this years awards  with, in my opinion, all nominees deserving to win. Although I did think it was a shame Susan McFadden didn't win as she is one of the most underrated actresses in the West End and had one of the hardest jobs in the world, taking over from Sheridan Smith as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde - I wouldn't want to have been in her shoes! Despite having a short run I thought, vocally, she is the strongest Elle there has been and it is a shame she didn't get any recognition for her hard work and talent.


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So - that is my first review done!! I'm exhausted! Hope you didn't find that boring and completely pointless. I have begun work on a review of Legally Blonde and I have written a mini article for the cast members leaving Shrek The Musical to be posted tomorrow... until then... thanks for reading!