Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Picture Show is musical theatre at its best, gloriously camp and comically crude.
If you’re not familiar with the cult classic, this sci-fi comedy follows all-American Brad and Janet as they get stranded with a flat tyre one miserable night, and turn to the nearest mysterious castle for assistance.
Rocky Horror is not for you if you’re a staunch “sit still and listen” theatre purist, but no matter how uptight you enter the auditorium, you can’t help but be won over by this immensely talented cast directed by Christopher Luscombe and an unwaveringly enthusiastic audience.
Darcy Finden, who plays Columbia, gets the show off to a captivating start with “Science Fiction/ Double Feature”, and the cast doesn’t let up from there.
The curtain rises to reveal a cardboard looking set, car and all containing doe-eyed Janet (Haley Flaherty) and peppy Brad (Richard Meek). The pair are outstanding at nailing those high notes
Hugh Durrant’s set gets more sophisticated once the castle comes into play. The swivelling wall panels switch the scene from opulent entryway to sterile laboratory with ease. Nick Richings must have worked overtime for the amount of light action contributing to the frenzy Nathan Wright causes with the intensely frantic choreography, delivered spectacularly by the incredible ensemble.
Stefano Guerriero brings oodles of pizazz into his role as narrator, handling every interruption with aplomb while Stephen Webb as Frank N Furter brings all the drama. Every movement is deliberate in this fabulously gender blurring performance, from the most exaggerated strut to the subtlest nudge – although not much can be described as subtle in this show!
With this much vocal talent on stage, it’s a shame the audience attempts to drown it out, but you have to acknowledge their verve makes the show the phenomenon it is.
Don’t miss your chance to do the time warp in Coventry – Rocky Horror is only showing there until 8th October! Book tickets here https://www.belgrade.co.uk/events/the-rocky-horror-show/
*****
Katie Reviews 