The Rocky Horror Show

I wonder if a day will ever come where I tire of The Rocky Horror Show?  If it does, call a doctor because there’s something wrong with me, for this is a show full of an intoxicating heady mix of inexplicable ingredients that hooks me time and time again.  It is oodles of fun with endless tunes that have you bouncing along with the rest of the fired up, unapologetic audience, meaning each visit to Rocky Horror creates its own unique memory to cling to just as tightly as that sequined top hat or feather boa.  For me, memories of my first Rocky show spring to mind, a little scared, a little unsure, but excited nonetheless, which blossomed into a lifelong love affair.  The first show back after covid, reopening the Palace Theatre is one of my all-time theatre highlights let alone Rocky highlights, for the place was alive with a palpable electricity, that perhaps wouldn’t have quite reached such heights with a different show.  Taking people who have never seen the show before and revelling in their reactions as it immediately dawns on them that they have zero comprehension of what they have let themselves in for, and how this show rips up the rule book and teasingly fans it around like confetti!  My list of memories goes on, and I am overjoyed to be adding to the bank of Rocky with tonights experience.  For that’s what a Rocky Horror Show is.  It’s an experience that is difficult to explain, you just have to live it, much like Frank-N-Furter sings himself, “Don’t dream it, be it.”

The plot of this show often sounds like you’re making it up on the spot when asked what it’s about, but this is a musical that lives way more in the space it creates for people than being tied down by the importance of story.  It pulsates with its messages of acceptance, of being true to who you are, of living authentically and never apologising for that.  Rocky Horror is a space where all are welcome, where life with all its twists and turns can be explored amongst friends………..even if many of those twists involve kinks, and the friends involve defrosted creatures that were frozen when they became too rebellious!  In a nutshell, Frank-N-Furter, who is from the planet Transexual Transylvania, transported himself and its occupants to earth, where they live in the middle of nowhere in a creepy castle, that is actually their spaceship.  One stormy night Brad and Janet (a young preppy, innocently naive couple) break down in their car and decide to seek refuse and the use of a phone in the isolated house they spot in the distance.  Frank-N-Furter’s place.  As they enter the castle and meet a chaotic cacophony of characters, their morals, their will, their desires, and their loyalties are tested, stretched and plucked to their extremities.  They arrive in what seems to be the midst of a celebration party, for Frank is about to reveal the results of his latest project – Rocky – a man made entirely by Franks own filthy hands!  But will the castle survive the raging jealousies that are ready to boil over?  Will its occupants continue to blindly accept Franks growing tantrums and tiaras, and will anyone ever be the same person they once were before Frank-N-Furter frivolously flirted with their lives?  Only one way to see.  Come and enter Franks castle!  It’s easy to find…….it’s just a jump to the left……and then a step to the right.   

So, what can you expect at a Rocky Horror show?  Anything and everything!  Many of the audience famously dress up as characters from the show, which could be anything from sporting hot pants, French maid outfit, science labs coats, basques, suspenders, sequins, sparkly top hats, feather boas, rubber gloves or tap shoes!  And it is all deemed perfectly normal, no one bats an eye.  And then of course there is the infamous audience participation!  They have their own unofficial script, honed, sculpted with numerous rewrites over the years, that those in the know will shout out at certain points in the show.  Don’t be mistaken though in thinking that this is a show where audience rudely interrupt the cast, it’s all a part of the experience and 99.9% of the time, the cast know exactly what will be said, when it will be said, and so know how to deal with it, with expert precision.  And neither is there any expectation for a Rocky audience member to become involved.  The only real requirement for this show is to go with an open mind, because this is a place where there is no judgement.

The fact is that it isn’t just audiences who return to this show year after year, but the cast do as well!  It is testament to how much it is truly loved and to the cult status that Richard O’ Brien has created.  It is the world’s longest continuous run of a contemporary musical, and with over 50 years under its belt, it somehow hasn’t aged a day!  It has now been seen by over 30 million people globally, so with statistics like that, you don’t even have to take my word for it that this is a must-see show!  The facts evidently speak for themselves.  Is it the story, the music, the characters, the safe space that make it so addictive?  It’s all of it.  It all works in the best possible harmony to create something unique that has never been matched in musical theatre.  What other show do you know the dance moves to one of its showstoppers before you even arrive at the theatre and are free to stand up and join in?!  It has its own rhythm, its own rules, and it is topped off with absolutely bouncing rock n roll tunes that blend with the glamour, extravagance, and flamboyance of its characters as well as being outrageously musical theatre!  At the heart of this show, each character is yearning to be loved, to be seen, and to be embraced, no matter what their quirks, and doesn’t that just sum up humanity?!  Richard O’ Brien may have wrapped everything up in the biggest bundle of crazy fun, but that’s exactly why we all identify with it so much.  We all want to belong and be loved but we don’t want people to know we want these things as we want to appear strong and independent.  But love isn’t weak and it doesn’t have to strip us of independence.  It’s perhaps the strongest thing we all have to the power to offer and in return, accept.    

Rocky Horror was only last in Manchester just over a year ago, yet under the direction of Christopher Luscombe, is still given the freedom it needs to remain fresh, invigorating, and beautifully familiar all at the same time.  The audience are given the space and respect to be cast within the show, and the actual cast on stage have clearly been given the trust to deal with this through direction, their experience, and enjoyment.  Hugh Durrants set still compliments the show wonderfully, the film reel encompassing the stage and framing the live band (who are phenomenal) and perhaps a dutiful nod to the successful film itself.  We ping back and forth between various locations with ease, and don’t lose a second of pace to set change.  This is impressive regardless, but when you think of the surrealism involved in these locations which involve a spaceship castle, a science lab, a deep freeze location, boudoirs, avant garde, and gothic ballrooms, it blows your mind a little.  Nick Richings certainly brings light to this production in more ways than one, as we are wowed with flashing rainbow lights, disco ball sparkly calmness, lasers beaming into the audience, drenches of symbolic red drowning the stage, and many more nuggets of inspired creativity.   

I have personally seen many of tonights cast in previous Rocky productions, such as Stephen Webb as Frank-N-Further, Haley Flaherty as Janet, Morgan Jackson as Rocky, and Ryan Carter-Wilson this time in the new role of Riff Raff.  Stephen Webb absolutely commands the stage from the moment he struts onto it, bringing presence, persona, and pizazz.  He owns this role and you see it with every fizzing moment that passes, allowing him to effortlessly contradict himself by being so in control yet so unpredictable at the same time.  He is more than worthy of the attention he demands you give him, and you are helpless to resist.  This will be my third time seeing Stephen Webb in this role and I didn’t think you could improve on perfection.  I was wrong!  This is a mesmerising, majestic, and magnetic performance.  James Bisp and Haley Flaherty are our corruptible Brad and Janet, bringing us the epitome of American sweethearts juxtaposed against love Island contestants gone bad!  James Bisp is endearing as the bumbling Brad, ensuring the entire audience are rooting for him and his geeky tendencies, awkwardness, and naivety are played to perfection, giving him so much space to develop and explore a whole new side to his character upon meeting Frank!  Yet he still keeps those little nuggets of geek which is absolute joy to watch, especially when he is dancing to someone elses song – it is brilliantly in character! Haley Flaherty is incredible at taking Janet from twee to tantalising, using the best physical expression to take her into a whole new realm!  She quickly adapts Janet to the sex god hiding within and uses her previous innocence to maximum effect with brilliant humour, with moments of deadpan sarcastic delivery that say one thing but mean another.  It is brilliant. 

The role of the narrator has the job of controlling all the chaos and unpredictability of Rocky Horror, whilst maintaining a level of impish delight themselves, a tricky balance to tackle, but Nathan Caton ripped it up and took control from the off.  More than that, his authority was immediately submitted to by the audience as his aura spoke volumes way before he did!  Confident, charismatic, captivating and cheeky, as promised at the start, he definitely took us on a journey, one in which he caught every audience interaction and made magic with it!  There was definitely a devilish delight to be found in this performance.  Ryan Carter Wilson and Laura Bird completely embrace Riff Raff and Magenta, serving us eerie, disturbed, quirky, rebellious overthrowers with gumption and the audience absolutely soak it up!  When they take us into The Time Warp and increase the already explosive energy in the theatre up a notch, it is a moment that I hope they understand their part in, for their magnetism pulsates and leads a moment that will live within all who experience it. 

Last time I saw Morgan Jackson as Rocky I was so impressed with the humanity he brought to the role, and I was even more impressed tonight.  He has really allowed this character to be viewed in a whole new light and given him more purpose than simply trying to escape the clutches of Frank whilst looking pretty.  The physicality of his performance is so full on, acrobatics are thrown into the midst of a rock n roll song and dance routine, and he makes it look effortless!  Daisy Steere is our hyperactive, sequin clad Columbia and lights up the stage with an irrepressible energy that draws you in time and time again.  Her final showdown with Frank that Rocky fans adore, was exquisitely executed and brought us the emotion, the anguish, and the down right bonkers high from the gas she inhales, everything that makes Columbia, well – Columbia.  Edward Bullingham was our Dr. Scott and Eddie, two entirely different characters that he nailed with ease!  The probing, investigating Dr. Scott definitely brought the disapproval and a brilliantly comic performance with accompanying accent, whilst Eddie brought the rebel, the risk, the robust energy of one literally fighting for his life.  Hot Patootie is always an audience favourite, and with this performance, it was once again!  The theatre was bouncing, but so was the cast!   

So basically, my advice is to go and watch Rocky Horror whilst it is in town, and with Manchester being its last stop of a very long tour, the already manic adrenaline that fuels this show, was cranked to the next level, so you will have the experience of a lifetime!  Don’t worry yourself with thoughts of “but I’ve seen it before” or “I’ve not seen it but I’m a bit nervous,” because with this one if you snooze you definitely loose!  With tune after insatiable tune satisfying time and time again, it is no wonder they are consistently met with thunderous applause and appreciation.  The Rocky Horror Show is a global hit for a reason!  Don’t be the one to miss it.

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Every time Rocky Horror announces its return to Manchester, I get a thrill of anticccc…..ipation, for I know I am in for a hot patootie of a night in a show that breaks all the rules and rocks the rafters wherever it goes.  I have been watching Rocky Horror in theatres since I was around 14, and I have lost track of how many times tonight will mark, but I keep returning because, more than ever with Rocky Horror, no two shows are ever the same simply because the audience is never the same.  And as the audience forge such a huge part of this unparalleled phenomenon, you never know what can, or will, happen.  What you can always be sure of though is a night like no other, fuelled by adrenaline hyped up fans, insanely addictive music, and more flesh than you have ever seen in an audience before!  Always expect the unexpected with Rocky, never think you have seen it all before, and blow caution to the wind as you fully immerse yourself into the pulsating, passionate, and provocative audience, allowing yourself to become a part of the show and absorb the high that it brings.   

So, as I’ve said before, for those innocents out there yet to have their Rocky Horror cherry burst, here’s the story so far.  Brad and Janet, the seemingly quintessential all American couple, have had a little car trouble.  They seek refuge from the lashing rain in the nearest house as they simply try to use the phone to call for assistance.  Instead, they meet a whole host of eclectic residents who awaken their twee outlook on life in every way possible.  As Brad and Janet experience the more pleasurable aspects of life, the master of the house Frank-N-Furter is building a little plaything by the name of Rocky.  But Rocky wants to play with Janet and Frank-N-Furter doesn’t like to share any toys.  Bang on cue, an earlier experimental plaything by the name of Eddie returns for revenge, but instead finds himself for the chop, because nobody gets the better of Frank-N-Furter.  Frank gets more and more demanding, petulant and insatiable, until trusted phantoms Riff Raff and Magenta grow weary of the games.  The phantomesque brother and sister take over and through a sea of leopard print hot pants, pink rubber gloves, science labs, lab coats, suspenders, tap shoes, sequins, glitter and sex, transport the entire house back to their home planet of Transexual Transylvania.  Got it?  Good! 

The story really is as bonkers as it sounds!  It makes no sense, yet perfect sense in equal measures, and is expertly hot gun glued together with equal measures of love, leather, lace and suspenders, to wow us with showbiz pizzazz, whilst dazzling us with the beauty of self-worth, love and acceptance.  Perhaps this is why its audiences go wild, because it is a place where there is no judgement, a place where you can learn who you are underneath the societal expectations, and a place where love never has and never will have any boundaries.  The characters are all so unique and identifiable, that you will no doubt see countless versions of them in the audience as people put their own spin on their favourite Rocky idol.  Tonight I saw beautifully confident fans unleash their inner Frank-N-Furter in various corsets and suspenders and not much else, sequin bedazzled waistcoats, hotpants and top hats as Columbia, French maid outfits for Magenta, science labs coats for Brad and Janet, and just about everything inbetween!  But as a Rocky audience is a place with zero judgement, there is also no pressure to dress up at all, and you are free to just come as your fabulous self and still have a blast.

I will never grow tired of the music from Rocky Horror Show.  Ever.  Richard O’ Brien is a living legend to have written the music, lyrics, and book for this show.  I mean, seriously?  His talent is unquestionably mesmerising.  His ability to have creatively tapped into the unconscious bonds that universally speak to each and everyone of us is dynamite!  We have all felt like breaking free, we have all felt different, we have all feared being judged or not accepted if we were truly to be ourselves, and we have all felt a desire to love and be loved in return.  Those things that we worry will isolate us are actually the things that bring us together and Rocky Horror celebrates this without apology.  Richard O’ Brien has understood humanity, and he has allowed us to face these private and personal truths in such a quirky manner, that we can witness and process without feeling threatened or vulnerable.  And we can instead just feel joy.  Unadulterated joy as you get wrapped up in the effervescent energy of the show and are actively encouraged to join in the dances and shout out audience responses!  The theatre is positively alive, and there is such a feeling of togetherness as the audience of almost 2000 strong all Time Warp in unison as we all take a jump to the left…and then a step to the riiii..yyyyy…iiii…yyyy…..ight!  Then there are the rock n roll moments that light up the theatre with songs such as Hot Patootie / Bless My Soul, or the musical-oke moments of Dammit Janet where the audience join in with the responses, the show stealing Sweet Transvestite, or the hypnotic Don’t Dream It.  Tune after insatiable tune is met with thunderous applause and appreciation, continually building the energy in the Palace Theatre.  If you’ve never seen Rocky Horror before, you will be mesmerized by this one-of-a-kind style of theatre, and for the rest of you Rocky loving pleasure seekers – welcome home.

Directed by Christopher Luscombe, this show is given the freedom to be everything it needs to be and embraces the audience as a fully-fledged additional cast member.  There is a distinct comfort and ease with the cast who take everything the audience throws at them in their stride and revel in the challenge of this unpredictable force.  Another unpredictable force is Jason Donovan as Frank-N-Furter.  To those who know me, it is no secret I have been a Jason Donovan fan since he first stepped onto Ramsey Street, and I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek at his Frank-N-Furter (behave) during his recent Doin’ Fine 25 tour.  Donovan commands the stage, demands attention, and struts with perfect pomposity and swagger.  He clearly loves playing this role and has so much fun with the audience that you can’t help but smile.  He gave us a superbly affected British aristocratic, charismatic, flailing Frank who swayed like he had been lubricated (again - behave!) with one drink too many.  Not long after his entrance, the heel of his shoe snapped off, and Donovan worked this into the show so expertly that the entire audience were in stitches.  The way he continued to teeter around on tip toes as if still in heels was hilarious and even with plenty of giggles, the show never missed a beat.  Lauren Chia and Connor Carson bring us the supressed Brad and Janet and are brilliant both together and apart.  Chia expertly transcends Janet from a sweet, naïve, perky perfection into an awakened, desiring, lusting lover.  Her comedic skills through vocal delivery are superb as she learns how to manipulate her innocence into fulfilment.  And what a voice!  The transformation from Dammit Janet To Touch-a Touch-a Touch Me is jaw dropping!  Carson is just brilliant as the bumbling Brad, endearing us to his awkwardness and making us root for him all the way.  He brings a quirky charm to Brad that is the absolute antitheses to Frank-N-Furter, and there is something so loveable about the fact that even when he has his own sexual awakenings, he never looses any part of who he is.  He beautifully bares his soul while singing Once In A While and it was stunning.       

Job Greuter and Natasha Hoeberigs are the phantom siblings Riff Raff and Magenta and are clearly fan favourites as their support from the audience was insane!  Eerily and wonderfully weird, they bring the house down with The Time Warp and throughout the show, the range of their voices, and their sublime characterisation was utterly flawless.  Morgan Jackson as Rocky really delivered with character as this role is sometimes the least developed, leaving Rocky to just run around in hot pants feeling confused.  But Jackson brought a real humanity to the man made experiment of Rocky and allowed us to feel empathy.  He infused a new energy into the theatre as he effortlessly bounded around the stage in The Sword Of Damocles with front flips, back tucks and goodness knows what else!  Jayme-Lee Zanoncelli wowed as the toe tapping Columbia and brought an unstoppable energy to the stage.  Her dancing was phenomenal and so full of fizz and power that it left me breathless and her monologue towards the end flowed from heartfelt to beautifully zany!  Ryan Carter-Wilson had the job of multi rolling between Dr. Scott and Eddie, and gave us two outstanding and totally different performances.  As Eddie he exploded onto the stage in his rebel defying Hot Patootie, giving a rendition worthy to any Meatloaf fan, and as Dr. Scott he provided us with the disapproving voice of caution and objection.  And of course not forgetting Jackie Clune as Narrator!  I have ever, in all my Rocky years, seen a female play this role, and it was epic!  Confident, controlled, full of sass and attitude, she took on every heckle, every plot twist, every unexpected and expected moment like she was the Queen of the stage!  There were some brilliant come backs from Clune when the preset Rocky audience heckles didn’t take into account that tonight, the Narrator was female, so she offered up the female equivalent instead!  I was belly laughing and it certainly brought a fabulous new twist to the show.       

With a Frankenstein Place set designed by Hugh Durrant, it compliments everything about the show.  It keeps pace, it flips, revolves and twists itself into positions that Frank-N-Furter would be proud of!  This takes us to the various scenes, from outside the castle, to rooms within the home from living room, to science lab, and even space ship!  In a nod to the picture show essence of the story, a film reel can be seen draped across the top of the set, which equally draws our eye to the exceptional band.  As lasers beam directly into the audience, lights flash rainbow joy, disco energy can consequentially nestle alongside a stage flooded with red, portraying Eddies blood or merely a warning for danger, all the brain child of lighting designer Nick Richings.

Whether this is your first time or your hundred and first time to watch Rocky Horror, I’m guessing it won’t be your last.  This show has a cult following for a reason, and you cannot help being swept along by it all, for it is truly a show like no other.  Rocky superfan Sal Piro, who sadly passed away in 2023, was the voice of The Rocky Horror community and is credited with the development of the audience participation and cult status we now know and love today.  I am sure he would have been thrilled to see it very much alive and well in this Manchester audience, ensuring his legacy lives on.  So grab your friends and head down to the Palace Theatre Manchester, drink the Rocky kool aid and ‘give yourself over to absolute pleasure.’   

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THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW IS AN INFECTIOUS, TIMELESS MASTERPIECE THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

Corsets, fishnets and red lipstick can only mean one thing - The Rocky Horror Show. The cult classic, created by Richard O’Brien, has transported from Transylvania back again to the Manchester Opera House. The plot follows the adventures of Brad and Janet, a newly engaged couple who stumble upon the bizarre castle of Dr. Frank N Furter, a mad scientist from another planet. What unfolds is a wild ride of seduction, science fiction, and rock 'n' roll.

The electrifying rollercoaster of glam, gender-bending, and pure unadulterated fun has captivated audiences for decades and there’s no wonder this show has left a huge mark in the world of theatre. From the very start when the house lights go down and the band begins to play,the audience are roaring with excitement and anticipation, despite many knowing exactly what to expect having been before. 

There’s a certain aura around this show and it doesn’t matter what you wear, who you are or even what day it is, every audience member just wants to have fun. It’s rare in theatre to see a show like this, where a lively audience is not just expected but encouraged making it an experience as a whole. 

The set can simply be described as fabulous, with glitter curtains, multicoloured lights and a mezzanine hidden behind a giant film strip; it’s extravagant yet not over the top. The costumes are exactly what you expect and what the audience love, each character dressed in their iconic looks that even a few audience members rivalled. The look of sequins, basques and high heels contrasted the innocent and fairly plain costumes of Janet and Brad, not forgetting the gorgeous makeup looks of dark eyes and red lips. It’s pretty clear for the audience to see that Janet and Brad are far out of their comfort zone and completely lost.  

Janet, played by Haley Flaherty (The Mousetrap, Travels With My Aunt, Matilda), at first seems sweet and almost shy, but this doesn’t last long as she undergoes a full transformation of character as she embraces the world of Rocky Horror. She’s trusting and loving of her fiance Brad, played by Richard Meek (Hairspray, Annie, Thoroughly Modern Milly), who despite being unnerved by the whole situation, attempts to stay brave for her; but he too discovers a new side to himself. 

There’s no Rocky Horror Show without the iconic Frank N Furter, played by Stephen Webb (Titanic, Rothschild & Sons, Wonderland), who brings a new level of energy to the show. Webb’s Frank N Furter is strong-minded, quick-witted, and captivates the audience with equal parts of charm and mischief. The sweet transvestite from Transylvania is the show's magnetic force who leads a quirky ensemble including Riff Raff, Magenta and Columbia. 

The first moment where I realised this was not an ordinary night at the theatre is when Philip Franks (Witness for the Prosecution, Art, Noises Off) entered the stage as the Narrator. His improvisation and comical comebacks to audience shoutouts had the auditorium roaring with laughter and cheers. Every time he commanded the stage, his comedy was timely, relevant and entertaining. It geared the audience up perfectly for any opportunity to participate in the show, particularly for the unforgettable ‘Time Warp’, a tune and dance known by many that got us all jumping out of our chairs. 

The show itself is a dazzling fusion of pop and rock with anthems including "Sweet Transvestite," and "Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me", which are songs that have transcended the stage and are now a firm part of pop culture. It’ll have you toe-tapping along and leave you singing the tunes for the next week, they’re just so catchy and fun. 

The Rocky Horror Show is an infectious timeless masterpiece. It embraces the weird and wonderful in a gender-bending celebration of liberation and self-expression - no wonder it’s a well loved cult classic! Whether you’ve seen it several times, have only seen the movie version or have never seen it at all, the stage show is an experience you don’t want to miss. 

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WATCH OUR INTERVIEW WITH JOE ALLEN

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW KEEPS ON RETURNING AS IT KEEPS ON GIVING AND THE FANS LOVE IT!

Rocky Horror definitely has us caught in a Time Warp because this is the 3^rd time it has visited Manchester in 18 months, and its hard-core fans show no sign of slowing down their eagerness to be a part of this cultastic phenomenon.  The last time I saw Rocky Horror was August 2021, when The Opera House re-opened after COVID restrictions, and I have never experienced an atmosphere like it.  It was the perfect re-opening, full of freedom, abandonment, and the desire to just live life.  It’s possibly the best party atmosphere I’ve ever experienced in a theatre.  I will never forget that evening, and so I couldn’t help but feel a little hesitant that, despite the epic proportions of Rocky Horror, my lasting adrenaline fuelled memory of the show could only make any future performances pale in comparison.  But this is Rocky Horror, it doesn’t do second best – even to itself!  And whilst that hot August night in 2021 will always hold a special place in my theatre loving heart, tonight was ready to blast the winter blues away and set this cold Manchester night on fire!

So for those innocents out there yet to have their Rocky Horror cherry burst, here’s the story so far.  Brad and Janet, the seemingly quintessential all American couple, have had a little car trouble.  They seek refuge from the lashing rain in the nearest house as they simply try to use the phone to call for assistance.  Instead, they meet a whole host of eclectic residents who awaken their twee outlook on life, in every way possible.  As Brad and Janet experience the more pleasurable aspects of life, the master of the house Frank-N-Furter is building a little plaything by the name of Rocky.  But Rocky wants to play with Janet and Frank-N-Furter doesn’t like to share any toys.  Bang on cue, an earlier experimental plaything by the name of Eddie returns for revenge, but instead finds himself for the chop, because nobody gets the better of Frank-N-Furter.  Frank gets more and more demanding, petulant and insatiable, until trusted phantoms Riff Raff and Magenta grow weary of the games.  The phantomesque brother and sister take over and through a sea of leopard print hot pants, pink rubber gloves, science labs, lab coats, suspenders, tap shoes, sequins, glitter and sex, transport the entire house back to their home planet of Transexual Transylvania.  Got it?  Good! 

The plot may sound random, and that’s because it kind of is, but its messages are not.  Be who you want to be, love who you want to love, ‘Give yourself over to absolute pleasure’ and do it all to a soundtrack that ignites every fibre of your being into an irresistible frenzy of indulgence, where you will feel the feels like you’ve never felt them before!  If you’ve never seen Rocky Horror before, your eyes will be opened to a unique form of theatre, where the audience play just as much a part of the show as the hard-working cast, and for the rest of you Rocky loving pleasure seekers – welcome home.

This set design is slick, quick and satisfying (a bit like Frank-N-Furter!)  Designed by Hugh Durrant, it involves revolving panels that with a simple flip turn the mansions main living room into a science lab and back again.  A film reel wraps itself around the set above the casts heads, drawing your attention to the fantastically talented band, who keep the audience revved up all night.  The lights (Nick Richings) are mesmerising, flashing rainbow disco lights, lasers that beam directly into the audience and penetrate into your Rocky loving heart.  Director Christopher Luscombe takes Richard O’Brien’s script to new heights in this 50^th celebratory tour, allowing the cast the freedom to breathe and work with the emitting heckles and “script additions” from the enthusiastic audience.  The cast take it all in their stride and as each of them took to the stage for the first time, they received a round of applause for just being a part of this fan favourite production.  Stephen Webb (Titanic, Wonderland, Jersey Boys) played Frank-N-Furter when I last saw the show in August 2021, and he has somehow upped his presence even further, which I didn’t think possible.  He is so at ease and relaxed with this role that all you have to do is enjoy his performance (I think that’s what Brad and Janet did too!)  He more than commands the stage, the audience and walks better in high heels than I do!  His voice is sublime, and I think he will be a Rocky fan favourite for years to come.  Haley Flaherty (The Mousetrap, Matilda, Love Never Dies) was also in the last production I saw as Janet and again just seems so at ease with the entire show.  She is sweet, innocent, raunchy, naive, and belts out her numbers with a voice so powerful, yet equally gentle when needed.  Amazing vocal skills.  Her Brad is performed by Richard Meek (Hairspray, Annie, The Producers) who is the perfect blustering partner.  He’s created Brad so that we don’t laugh at him, but instead we laugh with him, gaining his laughter from his gorgeous portrayal of this kind-hearted, innocent and nerdy young thing.  Reece Boudin (Matilda, La Cage Aux Follies) takes on the audience as the Narrator and has everyone belly laughing at his cool and collected come backs, where he even pokes fun at himself and has us falling in love with his cheeky charm.  Suzie McAdam (Local Hero, Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde) as Magenta also starts the whole show as the Usherette and belts out Science Fiction with a passion reciprocated by the audience.  She is strong and full of sass.  With well over 2000 performances, Kristian Lavercombe (Jersey Boys, Jesus Christ Superstar, Urinetown) who was tonight’s Riff Raff, has performed in Rocky Horror more than anyone else in its 50 year history and it shows because he is flawless and the second his head popped onto stage through a circular window, it was clear he was loved by this huge Rocky fan base.  His voice is crystal clear and the range is out of this world!  Ben Westhead as Rocky is an advert for body confidence, for he spends the entire show in nothing but a pair of underpants!  He never looks uncomfortable and bursts to life with an energy and a refreshing purity that suited the role wonderfully.  I have to say, this was one of my favourite Rocky interpretations ever.  Darcy Finden as Columbia and Joe Allen as Eddie and Dr. Scott complete the main cast like the missing pieces in a jigsaw puzzle, because this cast is a unit and seem so relaxed and in tune with each other that a certain, intangible vibe permeates the theatre.

As the entire audience stood up to dance to The Time Warp, a dance that even if it were their first Rocky experience, everybody already knew the moves to, I got to thinking what a unique element of the show this was.  Off the top of my head, I can’t think of any other show where the audience know the moves to a musical number before they have even entered the theatre and are then invited to join in!  I just love it!  The audience is as much a part of a Rocky Horror show as the cast themselves, and this is mainly down to one person – Sal Piro, who sadly passed away last month.  Sal was a Rocky Horror legend and started its fan club in 1977, eventually growing its popularity so much to become the voice of the Rocky Horror community.  He was in the original Rocky audience and is credited with the development of the audience participation and cult status we now know and love today.  I’m sure Sal would have loved tonight’s performance and was leading the audience yells in declaring Janet a slut and Brad an a-hole!!  Rocky is, and forever will be a hot patootie of a show!  It is a show that has no boundaries, makes no apologies and makes audiences return time and time again, because Rocky Horror is a “light in the darkness, of everybody’s life.”   

WE SCORE ROCKY HORROR SHOW...

It’s been about 15 years since I last donned my Magenta costume and went to see The Rocky Horror Show so I was very excited to be invited last night to the first night of the Manchester show. It was a night I’d remember for a very long time………

There wasn’t as many costumed audience members as I’d hoped but there were some great efforts made, the audience was a little quiet at first and there were several empty seats so I was worried that the atmosphere wouldn’t be as high energy as usual and I felt for the cast. However as Suzie McAdam belted out the opening number Science Fiction – Double Feature the audience began to warm up, her strong vocals certainly helped.

If you’re a Rocky regular you’ll know the importance of the audience participation and it was all there with some interesting ‘current affairs’ comments thrown in for good measure. I wasn’t disappointed. The narrator Phillip Franks was definitely the audience favourite, he was hilarious and responded to the audience perfectly with some very quick and funny ad libs. He had the biggest cheer of the night and it was certainly deserved.

Ore Odube as Brad and Haley Flaherty as Janet played their parts well and impressed with their vocals in ‘Damn In Janet’ and ‘There’s a Light Over at The Frankenstein Place’.

Stephen Webb was one of the best Franks that I’ve seen, belting out Sweet Transvestite in his fish nets and suspenders, he arrived on stage to cheers and applause and he played the audience perfectly, navigating the comments thrown at him with skill and again some fast ad libs.

By the time the first rendition of the Time Warp hit the stage the whole audience was on their feet and fully warmed up. I cannot praise the cast enough for turning around a quieter audience in a theatre that wasn’t full into a lively fully involved audience. Nothing lacked in atmosphere, and it was all down to the skill and energy of the cast with some amazing strong vocals and brilliant choreography.

It was as expected and hoped downright rude and not for a young audience, it was hilarious, great fun and a great night for all involved. As we left we saw some ladies outside still doing the Time Warp, I think everyone left having had a great night, I certainly did. Rude, hilarious, great tunes, amazing cast and the most fun you’ll have with your clothes on, well your fishnets. If you’re a die hard fan like me then don’t miss it and if you’ve never experienced Rocky before then do yourself a favour, get your friends together, dig out your fishnets, learn how to Time Warp and catch it before it leaves town. You won’t be disappointed.

“Let’s do the time warp again!”……and again and again because tonight’s show was just sensational.  I’m not sure how to write this review without sounding like an over excited teenager having just seen their favourite boy band because I’m gushing with superlatives, my ears are ringing, my heart is pounding and I’m full of adrenalin.

I was asked by a friend who had somehow lived a Rocky Horror Show free life, “What is it?  And who is Rocky?”  How to answer that question?  How to prepare someone?  My misplaced attempts at describing the show ranged from, “Rocky is a creature built by an alien from Transexual Transylvania who wears gold shorts and body glitter,” to “It’s panto for adults - on steroids!” and “It’s the modern, more randy version of Frankenstein!”  All my answers were met with the look of someone who thought I’d lost the plot, and so I stole my final answer directly from the show and said, “Don’t dream it. Be it.”

Well tonight’s cast certainly made the dream of live theatre come true.  This show has a huge following and ant…..ic…….ipation was clinging to every ounce of flesh that was on show from the audience before the curtain had even gone up.  A huge cheer and round of applause greeted the audience member who dressed up as Frank N Furter as he entered the auditorium (for those who have yet to witness this, it involves a corset, suspenders, stockings and not much else).  This audience were ready to party and have fun.

As the curtain rose to reveal the Usherette, the audience went wild, a mixture of finally being allowed out to play again and the pure love for all things Rocky Horror.  It was theatre-oke.  If you knew the words – you joined in, loud and proud.  The Opera House was back in action and the audience was going make sure the whole of Manchester knew it.  

I’ve seen Rocky Horror a few times over the years, but this cast and production was the slickest dream team yet.  From the advertising, I knew that Ore Oduba was to play Brad but had no idea of further casting, so I was thrilled to find out that musical theatre legend Stephen Webb was Frank N Furter and the insanely talented Phillip Franks was to play the Narrator.  Every cast member deserves recognition (Haley Flaherty, Joe Allen, Lauren Ingram, Suzie McAdam, Kristian Lavercombe, Ben Westhead, Darcy Finden, Reece Budin, Jordan Fox, Rachel Grundy, Danny Knott, Stefania Du Toit) for this was truly an ensemble piece.  It was wonderful to read in the programme that some of these performers were being given their professional debut break in this production.  A huge shout out to all the musicians and production team members too.

Ore Oduba has found his true home in musical theatre.  He is engaging, sharp, witty and can sing and dance with the ease of the greats like Gene Kelly. Stephen Webb commands the stage with his mere presence and fits the role as perfectly as his hands fit his pink rubber gloves!  Haley Flaherty is engagingly brilliant as the innocent / bad girl Janet.  Phillip Franks has the audience eating out of the palm of his hands, and whilst it may seem that the audience has control as they shout out the numerous “prepared filthy and friendly heckles” or “script enhancements,” depending on which way you choose to look at it (and believe me, in this show, it’s all about which way you choose to look at it!) Phillip Franks is the one who is in control at all times.  His come backs are current, hilarious, and add that extra special layer that Rocky Horror is known for.  There was even a Boris Johnson impersonation and a playful insult thrown out to Jeremy Clarkson!

But be in no doubt, there is one more cast member in this production we haven’t yet talked about – the audience.  The audience have always played a vital role in the live Rocky Horror productions.  It is expected, it is encouraged, and the show wouldn’t be the same without it.  As I said, I’ve seen this show a few times before but tonight there was plenty of new “audience additions” that I hadn’t heard before.  It’s great to see an audience evolving with it’s show, keeping it fresh and still loving it so much after all these years.

However, if you’ve never seen The Rocky Horror Show live before, fear not.  This audience are friendly.  They will welcome you as one of their own and get you through it until the sword of Damocles is no longer hanging over your head.  Full disclosure though, it is dripping with innuendo, sexual references and a care free attitude so you may not want to watch it with your dear sweet Aunt Alice, (though never say never!  Who knows what dear sweet Aunt Alice may have hidden away in her wardrobe!)  It does come with a guidance of aged 12 plus and I’d agree this is a wise move.

Simply put, Rocky Horror show is packed with all the timeless classics we have come to know and love and is a guaranteed party night out, with sequins, feather boa’s and dancing in the aisles.  It’s unapologetic.  It’s fierce.  It’s astounding………time is fleeting……….madness takes it’s toll.  And remember – it’s just a jump to the left, and then a step to the ri..iii..iii…iyyyy.iiight!  Let’s do the time warp again!!!!!  Well??  What are you waiting for?!

WE SCORE ROCKY HORROR SHOW - 10/10!!!