ROCK OF AGES TO STAGE CHILDREN IN NEED GALA PERFORMANCE
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London Theatre Direct
Hit Broadway transfer Rock Of Ages, currently wowing audiences at the Shaftesbury Theatre, is to help raise money for this year's BBC Children In Need.
Last year a similar performance of Jersey Boys helped bring in £60,000 in just one night for the charity. The televised main charity appeal will air on the BBC on 18th November, with the gala performance two days previously. Money raised from the theatre show on the 16th will help disadvantaged children and young people in the UK.
BBC London's Gaby Roslin, TV host Vanessa Feltz and legendary Radio 1 DJ Tony Blackburn will introduce the special show on the 16th at the Shaftesbury.
Roslin describes the show as "fun and feisty" while Blackburn adds that the 1980s, the decade in which the musical is set, were full of fun and fun music.
The production has been a runaway success in the States since it opened in 2006 and will suit the upbeat, party atmosphere of Children In Need. In the show the performers frequently break the 'fourth wall' by addressing the audience directly and reminding them that they are watching a musical. It is thought of as being more lighthearted and comedic than many of the other shows on Broadway and incorporates a number of memorable 1980s soft rock and glam metal artists' hits. Featured songs include The Final Countdown, Here I Go Again and Don't Stop Believin' as well as other classics by acts such as Bon Jovi, Pat Benetar, Poison and Twisted Sister.
The West End production opened at the end of August this year and is currently booking until October 2012. It stars former X Factor winner Shayne Ward and tv host Justin Lee Collins. A star-studded film adaptation is currently in production starring Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Mary J.Blige and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Due to hit screens next year it will likely have a big knock on effect on sales…so why not get ahead of the game and book tickets now!
[posted by James, 05/10/2011]