Grand Opera House York – until Saturday 19th March 2022.
Reviewed by Michelle Richardson
5*****
Already seen by over 30 million theatre goers worldwide, Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical returns to the UK as part of a worldwide tour. Promising to thrill you with fun and naughty moments. This week is quite special for the longest serving cast member, Kristian Lavercombe, who appears as Riff Raff. On Tuesday it is his 2000th appearance in the role, I got to see him in his 1999th.
As first when we sat down in our seats and looked around, there appeared to be a few empty seats and not the usual amount of fancy dress around, that soon changed. We were sitting in a packed dress circle with magnificent outfits all around. This show certainly has all the whacky and wonderful jumping at their chance to dress up, men in their wigs, stockings and suspenders, women as maids, or in brightly coloured shorts and tails. It is a sight to see, and anything goes. On this occasion we didn’t make the effort, as there were only the two of us, maybe next time.
As soon as the Usherette (Suzie McAdam, who also plays Magenta) appears on stage, looking resplendent and statuesque in her platform heels, the audience is full of rapturous applause, in eager anticipation. She belts out the fabulous Science Fiction/Double Feature, before pulling the curtain back for the show to begin.
This musical horror comedy tells the story of a young, innocent, and newly engaged couple, Janet (Haley Flaherty) and Brad (Ore Oduba). When their car breaks down, they decide to go for help and stumble on a castle in the middle of nowhere. Greeted by the creepy, hunchbacked butler, Riff Raff, they enter the lair of Frank N Furter (Stephen Webb), complete with his bizarre and madcap entourage. He invites the couple to stay to witness the birth of his creation, Rocky (Ben Westhead). They are both seduced, all innocence lost, by the charismatic and simply stunning, Frank N Furter, the Transexual Transylvanian.
Both Oduba and Flaherty are impressive as the young couple, both squeaky clean, until they weren’t, great comedic timing. I was quite surprised how much a good singer Oduba was and how he pulled off the nerdy Brad, plus he sure worked that bustier, suspenders and heels. Webb is sexy and mesmerizing to watch as Frank N Furter, the star of the piece, making the character his own. He really becomes the part and his rendition of I’m Going Home is quite spectacular.
The audience really make the show what it is, but there are perfectly matched by the Narrator, played by Philip Franks. I’ve seen this show a few times and he is by far the best I’ve seen, quite sensational, and I thought the others were good. He steers us through the story, with the audience shouting out replies and statements before he has even finished his line. A lot of what is said is filthy and unprintable, especially by one drunken punter, but the majority of it is all part of the experience. For a Rocky Horror virgin this can be quite shocking and how the hecklers can remember what to say and when to say it is beyond me. Franks quick-fire comebacks are right on point, so witty and topical, with mentions of Prince Andrew and £12,000,000.
By the end of the night, we were all up on our feet dancing and singing along to The Time Warp. The Rocky Horror Show is best described as an adult pantomime. It has a bonkers story line, about a cross-dressing alien from planet Transsexual in the galaxy of Transylvania, shouldn’t work, but is so does. It has fabulous music and costumes and makes for a serious great night out, a dazzling show.