Enthralling and entertaining theatre audiences for over 50 years, Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock‘n’roll musical The Rocky Horror Show is most famous as a cult film classic but started life on the stage. As a theatre production, it continues to draw audiences – many of whom dress up for the occasion in their best heels, stockings, and suspenders – and that’s just the men!
The songs are big and bold, including crowd pleasers Sweet Transvestite, Dammit Janet and the well-known Timewarp. The language might be colourful, the suggestion risqué and some of the on-stage antics crude, but for those who leave any prejudices outside the theatre doors, a good night is guaranteed. Those of a timid disposition might need to stay away.
The rocky road to Leeds
The story revolves around two squeaky clean college students – Brad (Connor Carson) and his fiancée Janet (Lauren Chia) – whose car breaks down while they are on their way to meet their former college professor. The only refuge is a creepy mansion they visit to look for a telephone so they can get help. Here they meet the charismatic Dr Frank N Furter (Jason Donovan). Anyone expecting to see Donovan in his better-known pop stardom guise might be in for a shock – he was so convincing and transformed in the role that I had to check the show programme to confirm that it was actually him. Only his voice gave a clue that this was the singer who shot to fame in the late 1980s with a string of pop hits.
Over the years the musical has had a succession of famous narrators. The Leeds audience was gifted with Nathan Caton, the comedian whose quick-fire responses to the audience were an asset to him and the show. His timing was immaculate, his wit swift. With many in the audience having seen the show numerous times, it felt, for a relative newcomer, that at times you were gatecrashing a private party, listening to their heckling and precisely timed interactions with the show’s dialogue.
The fast-paced show had the audience out of their seats within the first 25 minutes of opening, thanks to the first (of many) versions of The Timewarp, and the accompanying dance that has become a staple of many a wedding disco and party.
Like a cross between a good rock concert mixed with the horror of a good Hammer film, the action progressed as Frank N Furter’s assistant RiffRaff (Job Greuter) was introduced, along with the Mr Universe-like Rocky (Morgan Jackson).
The cast appeared to be having a ball on stage, with understudy Ryan Carter-Wilson tackling a dual role as Eddie and Dr Scott with ease.
Short and sweet
With a runtime of two hours, including an interval, the musical goes at a fast pace. With a dark and at other times bright staging, a cleverly situated film reel high on stage, in honour of the film, partially hid the onstage band.
Although Donovan is a big draw, the show does not need any star names. Rocky Horror is a star in its own right.
The humour might not be everyone’s taste and at times the script does push the boundaries but for the open minded who need to forget the outside world for a while, The Rocky Horror Show is a night of escapism, fun and totally outrageous. By the time you leave the theatre you will know the dance moves for The Timewarp perfectly. This particular party looks set to continue.
The Rocky Horror Show is at Leeds Grand Theatre and runs until Saturday 7 June.
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