Edinburgh Fringe Review
Bare Productions, founded in 2017, continues to deliver on its mission: creating inclusive, accessible, and fun theatre opportunities for people in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas. Community lies at the heart of everything they do – and that spirit was certainly on show in their latest production of Rock of Ages.
Now, I’ll admit – I’m a bit of a Rock of Ages superfan. I’ve seen the show a grand total of seven times across the West End and national tours, and I know the lyrics, the jokes, even the staging inside out. So I was particularly intrigued to see how Bare Productions would put their own spin on this rock ‘n’ roll juggernaut.
Staging and Set-Up
Given the size of the stage, the team did a great job with the space available. The band were placed on a raised platform at the back, while the action played out front and centre. A mobile bar (around the size of a piano) added to the scenery, though in large group numbers it slightly limited the performers’ movement. If I may offer a small suggestion – swapping the physical bar for a bar setup (like a sign or neon lights) during those bigger dance scenes might free up valuable floor space and keep the energy flowing.
Similarly, while it’s great to have the live band visible – especially for a show that thrives on the power of its guitar solos – it might be worth exploring if some musicians could perform off-stage to open up the space even more. The guitarists, of course, are essential rock gods and should remain on stage where they belong.
Technical Notes
There was a minor sound hiccup mid-show – I spotted a tech working with one of the guitarists during the interval, and a couple of audio clunks were audible in the second half. These things happen – it’s live theatre, after all – and the team handled it professionally. It didn’t detract from the overall momentum of the performance.
Performance Highlights
Let’s talk talent. The cast brought incredible energy and commitment to the stage. Choreography was tight, vocals were strong, and the ensemble truly gave it their all. A standout for me was the actor playing Stacee Jaxx – pure charisma, perfectly embodying the role with just the right mix of sleaze and swagger.
While there were some differences from the West End production – including omitting the “Anywhere You Want It” dance number and the toned-down costuming for the strip club scenes – these creative choices were well-judged for a community setting and didn’t lose the spirit of the show.
Final Thoughts
This was a polished, passionate, and professionally executed production. Yes, it’s technically an “amateur” show, but the standard on display would rival many professional companies. With a few staging tweaks to give the performers more room to breathe, this production could soar even higher.
For now, though – it absolutely deserves…
Five Stars
A joyous, full-throttle celebration of community, theatre, and 80s rock at its finest.
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/rock-of-ages
About the Author
Fantastic show enjoyed it so much fantastic singers and dancers,much better than some profession show i have seen.The stand out actor for me was Stacee Jaxx i would go to see this show again i loved it.Well done you guys ,why dont you do a travelling show?