JADAR

★★★★★

Give yourself over to the absolute pleasure… of The Rocky Horror Show!

Maria Plakhtieva

Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show is, without a doubt, a legendary musical. Knowing its history and seeing its continued relevance makes one wonder, “What makes this show so special?” I had the opportunity to finally experience the show for myself, and I will tell you ‘What’.

The Rocky Horror Show is a controversial musical that tells the story of a newly engaged couple getting caught in a storm, finding themselves in the home of a mad transvestite scientist where some inexplicable events take place.

Not only did the musical achieve a cult status, but it was also one of the first works to depict fluid sexuality during a time of division between generations and a lack of acceptance for sexual differences. However, be prepared, as the musical is noted for its long-running tradition of audience participation, involving call-back lines and attendees dressing up as characters from the show – a tradition that continues today, half a century after it first premiered.

The whole show is a blend of rock ‘n’ roll, craziness, and chaos. Nevertheless, the newly-engaged couple of Brad (Richard Meek) and Janet (Haley Flaherty) seem almost comical, which sounds surprising considering what is going on onstage. Their appearance, movements, and sweet voices create a surreal contrast to the overall show’s vibe, until Janet’s “Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me’ revelation and the ‘Floor Show’.

Their love, however, appears to be so real that even in the audience you feel that “There’s a light in the darkness of everybody’s life”, and even amidst the storm and the phantoms (the ensemble), their pure feelings prevail.

After the show, I experienced a similar sense of inexplicable joy and ease – akin to how Frank’s charms led Brad and Janet to lose their mind and give in to their natural carnal instincts. It felt as if, following Frank’s words, “Don’t dream it, be it”, the show’s atmosphere had set me free. After leaving the theatre, it felt like I had returned to reality with a lingering feeling that something extra-terrestrial had happened to me that night.

Stephen Webb, playing Frank-N-Furter, appeared to be a somewhat more brutal version of ‘a sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania’, but his performance was no less an outstanding.

The voices of other singers, notably Suzie McAdam (who I recently interviewed) as Usherette and Magenta, appeared stronger than on the original 1973 London cast recording, contributing to the show’s energy and atmosphere.

Even Rocky (Ben Westhead) was such perfection that he could make straight men question their sexual orientation. It is hard to believe that someone with such a great body can sing as well.

Philip Franks, in his role as the narrator, proved to be an ideal fit, starting from the way he responded to the audience while smoothly returning to the script and finishing with his consistent integration into the story.

In a show of this nature, where political aspects are hardly considered, he managed to effortlessly incorporate political jokes into his dialogue with the audience. Some comments from the audience were standard, while others quite cheesy, yet even then, Philip skilfully turned them into nice, subtle jokes. I knew that audience interaction was a planned element of the show, with the actors anticipating it, but Philip’s talent in engaging with the audience went beyond my expectations.

The only part seemingly mismatched in overall quality was Columbia’s (Darcy Finden) performance under the gas in Act II. Despite the flawless execution, this scene felt somewhat silly, flat, and way too long.

Sue Blane’s costume designs, on the other hand, were stunning, especially considering the frequency with which they changed throughout the show. And I am not just referring to the main characters’; the entire cast had several sets of costumes that were changed throughout the show and added to the visual spectacle.

In short, The Rocky Horror Show is like an album from your favourite band. You can listen to a particular song or listen the whole album on repeat, and it never becomes boring. So, if you ever get the chance to see this musical, you will understand why some people make it an annual tradition.

Joyce

Stepping into The Rocky Horror Show is like entering a portal to a realm where the bizarre becomes beautiful and the unconventional is celebrated.

I must be honest; due to a lack of cultural connection, I didn’t know too much about the history back to a bygone era, including the controversy that the show has aroused since its inception. So, I wondered, “What is it about this musical that has endured through the years?” Having immersed myself in the spectacle, I am glad that I found the answer…

You may be like me, unaware of the finer details and controversy and having heard only of the name and some basic information…

The Rocky Horror Show, written by Richard O’Brien, is a timeless rock and roll classic. It unfolds the tale of a newly engaged couple, Brad (Richard Meek) and Janet (Haley Flaherty), thrust into a storm, landing in the peculiar home of a mad transvestite scientist, who takes the pair on a wild and thrilling adventure that they’ll never forget.

The show contains a mixture of sci-fi themes and heaps of comedy to keep you laughing right until the end. The laughter starts with the moment Philip Franks, the narrator, appears onstage. I am not always a big fan of shows with external narrators, but Franks skilfully navigated the delicate balance of audience interaction and narrative, infusing humour seamlessly into the political undertones, which surprised me. This technique allows the audiences to fully enter the story at the very beginning.

Franks was interrupted by the audience shouting back at him a few times, but he interacted with the audience using an incredibly witty response and was on point every time. He offered regional-themed jokes and improvisation based on the reaction he got from the audience.

The performance itself is a whirlwind of rock, madness, and unadulterated chaos. Brad (Richard Meek) and Janet (Haley Flaherty), the central couple, bring a surprising touch of sincerity to the madness. While their love was supposed to be the light in the darkness of everybody’s life, and I couldn’t deny their excellent voices and skills, their performances sometimes weakened the feeling of romance and love.

Stephen Webb, an attention-capturer, portrays Frank-N-Furter. He exuded a raw, brutal energy, presenting a character that was both captivating and somewhat unsettling.

The voices and skills of other performers are also worth mentioning; they added an unexpected depth to the performance.

It is not only the singing that will mesmerise you. It might be a little blunt but Ben Westhead’s figure is so perfect that it doesn’t look human! His fusion of physique and vocal talent makes you feel that Rocky is a character designed specifically for him.

This show is a boldly sexuality symbol of an era when the world was still grappling with acceptance. What truly sets it apart is the magnetic pull of its audience participation tradition – a ritual that has stood the test of time, captivating audiences for over five decades.

The audience behaviour is different at this show than most others. The fans caught every punchline thrown from the stage and shouted things back at performers regularly throughout, which the show’s comedy relies heavily on. The clever interactions and responses were always on point, creating a unique chemistry and enhancing the enjoyable atmosphere in the theatre.

The sound team did an amazing job at combating this, making sure that even in the rowdy parts, the performers could still be heard clearly.

If you are a fan, the show, which seems to come to Manchester annually, is probably the highlight of you year. But if you are a Rocky Horror virgin, I strongly encourage you to make a trip to Transvestite, Transylvania.

Just as Brad and Janet will never forget their thrilling adventure, I believe that once you step into the theatre, you will never forget how psychedelic and extraordinary this journey is. Give yourself a chance: let the kaleidoscope of eccentricity scenes rock and roll you!

The Rocky Horror Show runs at Opera House Manchester until January 28 and tours the UK until February 10 before transferring to Lido 2 Paris for a residency from February 27 to April 7.

Photo: David Freeman