JADAR

★★★☆☆

Christopher Luscombe’s long-running production of The Rocky Horror Show continues its 2024-25 National Tour into Manchester – an evening of physical comedy and unbridled fun that occasionally lacked modern edge and sensuality.

Prior to last night, I was a complete Rocky Horror Virgin; I knew a few popular songs and the general premise but ultimately had no idea what to expect. From the moment I sat in the audience, I knew it would be an experience. I was amongst dedicated fans, dressed up like iconic characters and draped in fishnets, corsets and over-the-top makeup. Throughout the show, the audience’s enthusiasm added to the experience, dancing and waving their hands to a variety of songs, such as ‘Science Fiction/ Double Feature’ and waving phone torches during ‘Over at The Frankenstein Place’. My favourite moment was during the iconic hit ‘Time Warp’, as all the audience stood and did the time warp, dancing and singing along raucously! It was a true sharing of communal glee and unbridled joy!

Additionally, the set design by Hugh Derant was brilliantly malleable, spinning from a picture-perfect 1950s’ painted background to a haunted castle. The interactive set added to the spectacle of the musical numbers, creating a nostalgic campiness that infected the entire production with colour and joy. The unwavering audience interaction was a real treat when paired with Jackie Clune’s Narrator. Clune was a highlight of the show, effortlessly building a rapport with the audience and responding to heckling with wit and charm. Her contemporary jokes about feminism, Trump and even her labia allowed the piece to feel more contextually relevant despite being written over fifty years ago.

If you have never seen Rocky Horror before, the audience interaction is sublime, and I recommend it purely for the unique interactive experience. Additionally, the bizarre blend of musical theatre and cabaret meant that the fun factor more than accounted for the lack of plot.

The choreography by Nathan M. Wright was a treat and perfectly complimented the high-energy campiness of the musical numbers. There was a brilliant high-energy commitment and dazzling physical comedy from all the talented ensemble. Particular standouts were the tap interlude by Columbia (Jayme-Lee Zanconelli) and the backflipping athletic feats of Rocky (Morgan Jackson). Additionally, the comedic reactions from Janet (Lauren Cha) were hilarious and had the audience chuckling at the slightest head movement.

However, while there were many moments that had a dedicated audience guffawing, nothing felt exceedingly fresh about this production. As a new viewer, I sometimes felt slightly outside of the joke. Written in 1973, I am certain the script was groundbreaking in its overt sexuality and queerness when it premiered. Yet, 50+ years on, some of the sexual humour feels outdated and too polished to still claim the title of “sexiest show”. For instance, when Frank-N-Furter has sexual relations with Brad and Janet, I found the physical comedy hilarious, but the implications slightly problematic.

I was not surprised upon reading that Luscombe’s production has been running for nineteen years. Despite being fun and boisterous, the humour and direction felt quite stale and dated. For instance, the classic song ‘Toucha Toucha Touch Me’ felt far too polished and clean. The characters spun each other around, occasionally grinded on each other, but it lacked the dirty sexual awakening held within its lyrics. Additionally, the floor show at the end was provocative in its matching red-corseted costuming, yet the movements felt too choreographed.

The entire production was slick and polished but in my opinion, a cult classic like this demands more mess and campiness. Personally, I would love to see a fresh, new take on the musical in future years. Yet I understand the wide appeal of this classic production, and observed the pure enjoyment of the dedicated cult fan base.

One reason for audiences flooding to this production may have been the celebrity draw, and face on all the posters, Australian actor and singer Jason Donovan. Having played the iconic role of Frank-N-Furter on-and-off since 1998, I was expecting Donovan to be a highlight of the show. Unfortunately, I found his performance disappointingly lacking in the campiness and pizazz that the “sweet transvestite” needs. He walked with a laissez-faire demeanour, oscillating between seeming bored and giggling at his own jokes. There were moments where he delivered some great comedic lines and pop-rock belts, but I can’t say I was ever truly immersed in his performance.

The Rocky Horror Show is a classic, bizarre Rock’n’Roll musical that possesses truly iconic songs and an infectious, electric energy. The choreography, ensemble and set design were brilliantly campy and high-energy. However, the show failed to truly immerse me due to its overdone direction and humour. This production was a fun revival of a classic show, perfect for fans of the original stage show and movie.

The Rocky Horror Show runs at Palace Theatre Manchester until May 31 and tours the UK, Ireland and Europe until June 13 2026.