Let me start this review by letting you know I was one of those people, surely the minority, who hadn’t experienced the cult classic Rocky Horror Show. It’s almost impossible not to be familiar with the Richard O’Brien sci-fi horror musical, but the closest I had previously been to Rocky Horror was dancing the Time Warp at a family wedding.
I knew I was in for a treat the second I saw a number of the audience in audacious fancy dress. The cheering and howls of laughter started the moment the small but perfectly formed cast appeared, and didn’t let up until way after the final act had closed.
The audience really got involved with this one!
The plot, guided by The Narrator Steve Punt (Punt & Dennis), sees naive, newly-engaged couple Brad Majors and Janet Weiss break down on a stormy night. When in search of a phone, they stumble across a creepy looking castle run but the one and only sweet transvestite Frank’n’Furter, played terrifyingly perfectly by Stephen Webb. From that moment on Brad and Janet have a night you and they will never forget.
Rocky Horror is a raucous, elaborate homage to the sci-fi B-movies of the 1950s, which revels in a ludicrous plot, raunchy choreography and outrageously sparkly costumes (or lack of!)
Famous for the fan participation, the audience are practically encouraged to join in, and a lot of the laughs come from the interaction itself.
The non-stop musical numbers performed with phenomenal vocals will have you grinning, tapping your feet and even singing along to the better known hits (The Time Warp and Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me). If you are even a tad curious to see what all the fuss is about, I urge you to try it out.
Rocky Horror is the off the wall, risqué, liberating and fabulous romp you hope it is going to be, and this cast deliver a performance worthy of the standing ovation they received.
In the words of Frank’n’Furter himself – “give yourself over to absolute pleasure” and go and see this show immediately!
Running at Congress Theatre, Eastbourne from May 27 – June 1st. Buy your tickets here.
Raspberry Sunday 