Review: Rock of Ages (Shaftesbury Theatre, London)

Please remember: this is a review of a first preview, and should be judged as such.

I may be biased, since I saw it in New York and loved it (and have no problem with jukebox musicals if the songs are sensibly placed), but the London production of Rock of Ages looks set to more than challenge its US counterpart, given time and a bit more work on the mic levels. This deeply satirical, slightly filthy, thrillingly funny show takes all the theatrical conventions you're used to and turns them on their heads.

As narrator Lonny, the very seasoned Simon Lipkin (Avenue Q, Austentatious) is hilarious, holding the audience in the palm of his hand as he keeps the action swinging, breaking the fourth wall when necessary. Comedian and presenter Justin Lee Collins is a happy surprise as bar owner Dennis Dupree, rising to both the singing and acting challenges demanded of him. Oliver Thompsett (Wicked, Our House) excels in the tough sing of lead boy Drew, who has travelled to LA to become a rock star but instead falls in love with Sherrie (Amy Pemberton, strong). Thompsett can play the super-nice boy and also blast out a rock tune with a voice that, hopefully, he can keep at the same level throughout his tenure with the show.

Rohan Tickell and Sandy Moffat form a great double act as German property developer father and son Hertz and Franz. Moffat, for whom this is his first featured role, is well on his way to stealing every scene he's in (and got an extended round of applause after his show-stopping song) and Tickell isn't far behind (though he could make his German accent slightly stronger - at points he almost sounded English).

Shayne Ward showcases his powerful vocals as bad boy rocker Stacee Jaxx, but struggles a touch with the acting side - though very funny in many places, he needs to enunciate more clearly and take his time over his lines - it's clear that he has the least experience out of the cast.

Otherwise, Jodie Jacobs (Me & Juliet)'s delightfully husky voice is an intriguing choice for eco-activist Regina, and although she didn't quite hit all her comic notes, a few more shows will hopefully iron those issues out. And it would be a shame to end the review without mentioning Dylan Turner's cheekbones and tongue wiggling as Joey Primo.

This isn't Shakespeare, but then it's not trying to be. It's just good, solid, sarky fun. And I'll definitely be going back.