A night to get you dancing in the aisles

Award winning smash hit Rock of Ages is an hilarious 80s themed comedy musical featuring over 30 eyebrow scorching tunes, writes Heather Jan Brunt.

The songs that will get your feet itching to dance include Don’t Stop Believin’, We Built This City, The Final Countdown and I Want To Know What Love Is.

Starring Ben Richards as rock god Stacee Jaxx and Noel Sullivan as Drew Boley, the show comes to the Waterside on June 30 for a week.

The show is the ultimate rock mix-tape musical, an hilarious story of dreams, love and rock. A celebration of classic 80s rock culture it tells the story of a small town girl and a big city rocker falling in love to the greatest songs of the decade, bringing a wild celebration of Los Angeles rock culture to the UK.

And it comes with a warning - this show may unleash your inner rock god!

Lead actor Ben Richards previous West End theatre credits include Guys and Dolls, Saturday Night Fever and The Full Monty. He has also appeared on television in The Bill, Holby City and Footballers Wives.

Speaking of what attracted him to the role of Stacee Jaxx he said: “The script essentially. It’s funny and witty, slighty irreverent and filled with great songs. I especially liked the role of Stacee Jaxx because in truth most guys my age grew up wanting to be that rock god! So a chance to play him is amazing.”

The show was incredibly successful in London but Ben feels it may play even better in the sticks.

He said: “This show might in some ways be more suited to regional audiences than to London ones, because I think people are more up for having a good time in their local theatre than they are going into London to see the show in the West End.

“I love seeing different parts of this beautiful country of ours and performing in front of different people - each city or town has its own heartbeat and the people in it their own personalities.”

Ben feels the best thing about the show is the heart and sentiment of it. Although the geat songs are undeniably a great pull.

He said: “I love to hear Cherrie sung by Noel Sullivan, it’s so catchy and Noel sings it so well. But I am equally lucky to sing the Foreigner classic, I Want To Know What Love Is, Bon Jovi’s Dead Or Alive and to join in with everyone else, including the audience, with Don’t Stop Believing!”

Tickets cost from £10. Box office 0844 871 7607.