The Rocky Horror Show

If you get to my age, went to art school in Chelsea and like musicals then there was no escaping The Rocky Horror Show – or loving it. I do love it and have seen it more times than I care to count, and over the years I have seen great productions, from the original, to some rather tired ones. This one is first class and for three very good reasons. Firstly it is true to the original in so many ways, no messing with something that aint broke, and it is all the better for that. Secondly it has a very good set, very strong production values and excellent lighting, really excellent!
All this is good, better than good – but this would be as nothing if the cast were not top notch. Over the years there have been so many good cast members that it must be a daunting prospect for any actor, particularly one who has to follow Tim Curry and later David Badella in the role of Frank-N-Furter, or of course Richard O’Brien’s Riff Raff. Well Liam Tamne more than pulls it off with a smoothly camp performance, less lascivious but no less seductive and Kristian Lavercombe is wonderfully slippery as Riff Raff. Kay Murphy starts the show deliciously, and goes on to deliver a really feisty and filthy Magenta. Sophie Linder-Lee’s Columbia is a tiny ball of raw energy and Diana Vickers transforms from prim Janet to slut Janet with ease. Ben Freeman’s Brad is wonderfully reserved, even after is sexual “awakening”. Dominic Anderson as Rocky is ripplingly ripped and vibrant and delivers his numbers with real conviction and Paul Cattermole slips effortlessly between the role of Eddie and Dr Scott. In fact all the company give their all to the iconic numbers that are at the heart of this fabulous show.
Finally to Steve Punt who has perhaps one of the most difficult jobs as the narrator. Given that most audience members see this as an opportunity to join in and heckle, a hangover from the cult status gained by the Rocky Horror Picture Show cinema version, he dealt well with the intrusions and interruptions. I don’t much like that element of the show as it slows it down and can throw the cast. But this time I embraced it as part of how it now works and did not allow it to spoil my enjoyment. So much so that by the end I was on my feet and time warping with the rest of the wildly enthusiastic audience. My only fear was for the safety of our beautiful theatre as we all took a jump to the left!
21 December
Theatre Royal Brighton
Andrew Kay
5 stars