If there is one thing the Reading Operatic Society never fail to do, it is providing a stage for talent which shocks you.

Several voices floored me when I was watching the society’s most recent production of the classic, jukebox musical, Rock of Ages, at the Kenton Theatre in Henley.

When Eleanor Knight took to the stage as Sherrie Christian, I thought, ‘They’ve done it again, where are they finding these astounding voices?’

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Along with Andrew Johnson as Lonny Barnett, Trent Allen as Stacee Jaxx, Lauren Hughes as Regina, and Delun Jones as Justice Charlier, you could almost feel the audience gasp and glance at each other as if to say, ‘Are you hearing this?’

The award-winning theatre company put on yet another show full of high-energy performances which drew you into the rock and roll world of the 1980s.

There are so many things to note from the show including the sultry choreography from Emily Muirden to the eccentric costumes, wigs and make up by Pam Dennis, Daisy Fitzgibbon, Lucy Seymour and Laura Mountbatten.

In fact, it took me right back to my school days as if I never really left – (I definitely have some looks the show could have borrowed along with my hundreds of Kerrang magazines I should probably part ways with).

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When the show began, I was thrilled to see the band front and centre. I feel sometimes the live music in shows can be forgotten when they are hidden beneath the stage but Mark Webb, Daniel Bilby, Andrew Smith, Graeme Hollingdale, and Thomas Smith were truly the stars of the show.

Now, I know it’s cliché to say some people were born to play a character, but I am going to. Hughes as Regina was simply phenomenal. I couldn’t wait for every time her character was next to sing because she embodied the role so well.

Likewise with Johnson as Lonny, it didn’t feel like watching someone play a character – he simply was the character. So ridiculously funny and a fantastic voice.

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In the interval, I heard two women whispering: “The main girl, her voice is crazy good.” They were right, Knight was brilliant as Sherrie along with her co-star Kieran Jones as Drew Boley.

 

What a show, what a night, the Reading Operatic Society have done it again. My old school rock playlist has been on repeat since and I am not mad.

A huge round of applause to the entire cast and creative team. Make sure to catch ROS at their next performance by visiting facebook.com/Rdgopsoc.