Aylesbury Waterside Theatre – until Saturday 8th July 2023
Reviewed by Susan Portman
5*****
Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical celebrates 50 years with this special anniversary production. The longest continuous run of a contemporary musical anywhere in the world, The Rocky Horror Show has been seen by 30 million people and continues to delight audiences on its sell-out international tour.
The Rocky Horror Show is the story of two squeaky clean college kids – Brad and his fiancée Janet. When, by a twist of fate, their car breaks down outside a creepy mansion whilst on their way to visit their former college professor, they meet the charismatic Dr Frank N Furter. It is an adventure they’ll never forget, filled with fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity. Directed by Christopher Luscombe, The Rocky Horror Show is ready to thrill you with fun and naughty moments, and features timeless classics including Sweet Transvestite, Damn it Janet, and of course, the pelvic thrusting show stopping Time Warp.
When the curtain rose to reveal the first scene with Janet and Brad in their car, my eyes scrutinised the stage backdrop. It was good, but a tad basic, and I wondered if it would improve. Oh my, it did. As it transpired it was a masterpiece of invention, with the band somehow situated above the stage (but in an almost ink-black setting) behind an aspect of the scenery. The scene changes were swift and clever with the insides of Frank N Furter’s castle looking splendid with various animal heads on the walls, but there was also plenty of techno gear as the show progressed – something for all I think.
Of course, this is very much an adult show and if you fancied a hedonistic night in Aylesbury then this was the place to be. There were transvestites, portrayals of straight and gay sex and lots of suggestive interplay between the characters including three in a bed with a hilarious moment involving Riff Raff! The Narrator, Phillip Franks was quite superb in his banter with the audience, some of whom seem to have followed the show for the fifty years that it has existed. As he narrated with alacrity, the loyal cabal in the front rows would shout out and the exchange between them and Franks provided a flawless synchronicity.
I quickly remembered that a Rocky Horror Show audience wants – nay expects – such personal interaction and this is about giving them what they desire, dressed up in all kinds of sexy gear, as they are with as much leather and sexy underwear as the actors wore onstage.
The cast was merely twelve or so strong and the amount of energy that they invested into the song and dance routines was extraordinary. They could all sing, dance and act with skill and panache – the leading players and the supporting crew. The choreography was tremendous and I can only imagine how long it took to arrange.
Brad (Richard Meek) and Janet (Haley Flaherty) gave first-class performances as the initially coy couple who ended up becoming sexual victims of the dastardly Frank N Furter. As with all the players – they possessed marvellous singing voices, and they were a perfect match.
Stephen Webb, who played Frank N Furter was rip-roaringly magnificent in the leading role, having his evil way with whoever he wanted it seemed, seducing visitors to his castle. There were moments of sneering domination, and pathos to boot and he really gave us the best
of the role. Frank N Furter of course created the ‘monster’ that was Rocky, played by the incredibly well built Ben Westhead with a body that most women and men would die for. He was like a young Charles Atlas (showing my age now) and his dance routines must have been exhausting, but then he looked as fit as a butcher’s dog. He gave a commanding and top notch performance
We all love Riff Raff don’t we? The sort of ‘Igor’ of the castle, slave to Frank N Furter until he turns the tables on his master. Kristian Lavercombe played him brilliantly, and his sister Magenta (Suzie McAdam was equally convincing in her role. Then there was Dr Scott, the wheelchair bound boffin, played with some considerable style by Joe Allen. I initially tried to work out what his role was in the maelstrom of madness at the castle but he fitted into the
second act quickly and seamlessly. A special mention for ‘Columbia’, played with the energy of a deranged mongoose (that’s a compliment!) by Darcy Finden. She was a terrific dancer but oh my, did she have a singing voice; almost operatic at times for one with such a slim frame. She stole the show in a way for me – and I hope to see her act again someday.
There were some hilarious moments in this as one would expect, and the narrator essayed some memorable and thankfully not politically correct one-liners that I guess I dare not repeat here. Suffice to say it is adults only, but so what – we all deserve a night without the kids! I must finally mention that superb stage set. The skill of any stage set in my opinion is to seduce the audience into thinking they are actually part of it, that they are in the various scenes. This they achieved as the castle seemed to reach out and devour the audience. The costumes, music, choreography, lighting and sound were second to none and Christopher
Luscombe as Director deserves a round of applause for making a lot of people very happy, living as we are in difficult times at the moment.
On the morning of the show I put the Rocky Horror Show CD on at home, just to remind me what it was like. After watching this performance live at the Waterside in Aylesbury I am reminded that ‘live’ really is the only way to experience music, dance and acting. After 50 years, the Rocky Horror Show has lost none of its allure, and it continues to entertain audiences old and new. Here’s to hedonism and cocking a snook at the world.
I am unashamedly giving it a whip-cracking, time warping 5*****