Kevin Kennedy believes Rock of Ages is 'magical nonsense'

Kevin - still best known to millions as Curly Watts from Coronation Street - plays nightclub owner Dennis Dupree in the show, set in 1980s LA, which is currently on a farewell tour of the UK.

“Honestly this is probably one of the most fun shows I’ve ever done,” said Kevin, who has been part of Rock of Ages on and off since 2018. “It doesn’t take itself very seriously, it’s not a worthy or deep piece of work; it’s just great fun.

“We have a lot of fun doing it and I think that comes across. If we’re having a good time usually the audience is as well.

“It’s the perfect show for us after all the rubbish that we have been going through and are currently going through.”

Rock of Ages revolves around the characters that frequent a sleazy nightclub threatened by developers.

“It’s total escapism for two hours,” said Kevin. “There’s long hair and plastic guitars. The script is very silly and very funny. We cater for everyone. We’ve got scantily clad men and women, we’ve got this very funny script and then we have this brilliant soundtrack with a live band.”

Songs in the show are genuine 80s rock classics including The Final Countdown, Here I Go Again, Hit Me With Your Best Show and Can’t Fight This Feeling.

“It’s all the stuff you sing in the shower but don’t admit to knowing,” said Kevin. “It’s magical and people love it. It’s two hours of complete nonsense.”

Kevin was in the show prior to lockdown and it’s interesting to hear his view on theatre audiences post pandemic.

“Every night audiences are really going for it and quite rightly so,” he said. “We’ve not had the best of times; it’s been absolutely tragic so why not come to the theatre and do something stupid? It’s the perfect night out.

“It’s a very honest show and I quite enjoy that at a time when honesty is a bit sparse. Audiences are lapping it up.”

Kevin is no stranger to hit musicals. He has previously been in Manchester with The Commitments and has toured and UK and appeared in the West End in We Will Rock You based on the songs of Queen.

So which is his favourite rock musical Rock of Ages or We Will Rock You?

“That’s really unfair,” he laughed. “They are both brilliant. We Will Rock You is obviously close to my heart as it was a really big job when I first got a part in it after leaving Coronation Street. And I got to share a stage with Brian May and Roger Taylor. That was cool - some kid from Manchester standing five feet away from Brian May while he was playing the solo from Bohemian Rhapsody, come on. That was special!

“But I like them both for various reasons. I suppose We Will Rock You has got a bit more weight to it as it’s written by Ben Elton and he’s got comedy bones. I reprise that one quite a bit. The way I look at it is if I’m good enough for the West End, I’m good enough for anywhere. But I can’t pick a favourite. I’m just having a blast with Rock of Ages at the moment.”

Music has always played a key part in Kevin’s life.

“Growing up in Manchester I was 15 when the punk revolution started in 1976,” he said. “It was a revolution in the true sense of the word; a time when anything seemed possible. You’d sit watching Granada Reports and see your peers doing all sorts of things like punk poetry, sculpting, acting, singing. I really embraced the fact that you that didn’t have to be technically brilliant at something, you could just get up and have a go.”

Kevin played bass in a number of bands - one included an unknown guitarist by the name of Johnny Marr - and even when he got into acting he continued to play or go to watch bands whenever he could.

“Music has always been around,” he said. “Even when I was in Coronation Street I was able to do other things. I wasn’t a great one for nightclubs, I was hungry to find guitar bands and live venues and there was always somewhere in Manchester you could catch a band. I played with an Irish showband called Borderline, I was just the bass player, I was never billed. But that’s where I learned to play properly and it stood me in good stead when I found myself working in musicals - I had a vague idea of what to do!”

From 1983 Kevin was a regular on Coronation Street for 20 years but the fame had a downside and by the mid 1990s he was drinking heavily.

“I was in the depths of addiction but I was lucky,” he said. “ITV was very forward thinking and very American thinking at the time and they sent their people to rehab rather than just sacking them. That put me on the right path.”

Now sober for 25 years Kevin and his wife Clare are working to help others struggling with addiction through their charity Kennedy Street.

“We had the idea of starting a recovery hub where we live in Brighton and we got charitable status just before the pandemic,” he said. “Brighton Council has given us some premises and it’s thriving. It’s a safe space where people can just drop in and have a cup of tea and talk and we see what we can do for them.

“It’s a friendly space and totally non judgemental. We also have a helpline (www.kennedystreetrecovery.org) which is open to everyone as we have contacts all over the country. We show people that they are not on their own and we offer hope.”

Kevin can’t wait to return to Manchester with Rock of Ages.

“It’s always a date I ring on the calendar if I’m in a touring show,” he said. “My mum and dad are still there and I’ve many friends and Corrie mates who I get the chance to see and who come to the show. Manchester’s always special.”

Rock of Ages,, Manchester Opera House, Tuesday, March 14 to Saturday, October 18. Details from www.atgtickets.com