Mayflower, Southampton – until 24 July 2021
Reviewed by Jo Gordon
5*****
Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show has something of a cult status amongst old and new fans alike, you can guarantee a packed out audience of which most will be wearing attire that may come as a shock to the complete novice! If you hang around the local bars long enough, you witness many a person who have arrived straight from the office enter the nearest loo in usual office clothing and emerge looking glorious in fishnets, heels and a basque, like raunchy superheroes from phone boxes …… on this occasion I was the very underdressed, rather frumpy looking woman wishing I’d at least worn a feather boa!
It is a story of a cross dressing alien named Frank N Furter, who resides from the planet Transexual in a galaxy called Transylvania. He is trying to make the perfect man in his lab to satisfy all of his lascivious ways. Brad and Janet, a rather naive newly engaged couple suffer a flat tyre, and like all good B horror movies, find a big spooky castle to try and get help from. Of course, along with the strange yet alluring Frank is his equally interesting entourage. Then the fun begins, number after number that gets the audience on their feet, the narrative where those that know the show inside out heckle from the sideline and are rewarded with witty repertoire back, dance numbers, love scenes, raunch and comedy whipping the audience up to a level of palpable enjoyment.
The whole cast are outstanding, add in the magnificent set and lighting alongside the hugely famous musical score ( Time Warp ring a bell ? ) and you’re in for a cracking time. What could have been more pluperfect on “Freedom Day” than the aroma of warm vegan leather and hope hanging in the air?