At first, it looks like partygoers have trashed London’s Shaftesbury Theatre. The auditorium is strewn with gig flyers; lingerie dangles from a chandelier; on stage, performers writhe their way through 1980s guitar hits from Bon Jovi’s Wanted Dead Or Alive to Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’. There’s no doubt US retro musical Rock Of Ages, already a hit on Broadway, has arrived with a bang in London’s West End.
It’s a brashly cheeky tale of star-crossed lovers Drew and Sherrie (Oliver Tompsett and Amy Pemberton), debauched rock idol Stacee Jaxx (Ward) and a motley crew from the Sunset Strip. It’s got mass appeal and a Hollywood film version, starring
Tom Cruise and Russell Brand, is already in production – although the Rock Of Ages crew never actually cleared rights for the Def Leppard song from which it takes its name.
Backstage, boisterous comedian-turned-TV-host-turned-actor
Justin Lee Collins, 37, is taking a breather from his role as Bourbon Room owner Dennis Dupree. It’s not his first musical stint; his TV shows have seen him star in hit show Chicago and impersonate Tom Jones.
‘This is perfect for me – I’m a child of the 1980s,’ he admits in his Bristolian drawl. ‘Whitesnake and Bon Jovi were the soundtrack to my life. The glamorous, excessive era really lends itself to musical theatre. Rock Of Ages doesn’t force a moral message but it has heart.’
‘We’re celebrating a period of rock-star dreams, long hair, leather and decadence – especially in this time of recession,’ agrees director Kristin Hanggi. ‘Historically, in America, successful feel-good theatre comedies have happened when the country needs it.’
Hanggi’s previous works span fringe theatre to pop extravaganzas. ‘I love this show’s sparkle but also how its characters break the “fourth wall”, addressing the audience,’ she says. ‘The show and film are different animals, riffing on the same theme.’
Rock Of Ages continues the trend for ‘jukebox musicals’, both in London (from Queen blockbuster We Will Rock You to Blondie flop Desperately Seeking Susan) and New York (where Green Day have a musical, American Idiot).
In the 1980s, musical theatre actually spawned hit records; nowadays, shows generally centre on familiar tunes. But Rock Of Ages has brilliant singers and Hanggi argues there’s an emotional hook.
‘Many people had their first kiss to these songs,’ she says. ‘For others, they’re favourite karaoke tracks.’
Collins certainly seems to be relishing the challenge posed by eight shows a week. ‘I’m not used to scripts and I can’t even play air guitar,’ he says. ‘But in my head, I’d be Stacee Jaxx.’
Following The X Factor’s blandness, Ward has seized on the OTT role of Stacee with glee. The 26-year-old opens his dressing room door wearing tight trousers, eyeliner and a hair net.
Musical theatre wasn’t his original ambition (‘I wanted to act in gritty dramas’) but this seems to be his calling. ‘When you’re part of Simon Cowell’s label, everything’s clean-cut,’ says Ward. ‘I’m not a bad boy but I have a sense of humour.’
Is being in a musical more fulfilling than pop? ‘God, yeah,’ he says. ‘I get to sing, dance and learn. Although my family will say: “That’s just Shayne in a wig.”’
Pop touring has seasoned Ward for the gruelling theatre schedule. ‘I love the adrenalin of different crowds every night,’ he says.
‘I’m good at looking after my voice.’ Ward points at an array of healthy teas – they’re a stark contrast to the raunchy vintage pin-ups he’s stuck to the walls. ‘Does downloading posters of sexy ladies and bands from the 1980s count as method acting?’ he asks.
Ward is also enjoying the cast camaraderie. ‘The pop world can be lonely for a solo artist,’ he says. ‘This is the first time I feel like I can make some true friends. And I keep doing this, now I’m in a rock show,’ says Ward, making devil-horn gestures. ‘It’s made me much more confident. Now I belt things out.’
When I leave, I hear rock-star roars from behind Ward’s door. And I think – maybe if you don’t axe, you don’t get.
From Saturday,
