Mayflower Theatre Southampton – until 13th April 2019
Reviewed by Leanne Caplis
5*****
The famous show by Richard O’Brien returns to the UK as part of its world-wide tour and it’s OUTSTANDING!
Two naïve school sweethearts Brad (Ben Adams) and Janet (Joanne Clifton) are on their way to visit their former professor when their car breaks down. Spotting a guiding star, burning bright they follow it to find themselves at the home of Dr Frank’n’Further (Duncan James).
From the show being opened by the Usherette (Laura Harrison) it was clear that fun was to be had with lots of campness, innuendos, singing and dancing. Don’t expect the show to make sense as it goes from mad to mental to the downright crazy (but all in a good way).
Rocky (Callum Evans) was definitely an audience pleaser. With his perfect body, great singing voice and exceptional gymnastic skills he was sending people weak at the knees! The star of the show for me was Dr Frank’n’Furter. He has the right amount of campness and sex appeal and was the perfect sweet transvestite.
There is a lot of audience participation during this production. For those who haven’t seen the Rocky Horror Show the show starts at the door. Audience members braving the weather to don their fishnets and corsets as they dress up as cast members. They have various props that come into use throughout the show and the interaction with the narrator, Dom Joly, show that this show has many regulars who return again and again. You might mistake the interaction with the narrator as heckling but rest assured – it is all part of the Rocky madness and Dom responds brilliantly.
The whole theatre was on its feet for The Time Warp and once again for the finale. It was not surprising the cast got a standing ovation as it really is one of the most fun nights I’ve ever had at the theatre.
Even after more than four decades this show continues to be a sell-out. If you leave your inhibitions at the door and don’t take yourself too seriously you will love this show. Like me you will probably find yourself returning again and again and perhaps even joining others in getting your legs into them fish net stockings!