It does not seem possible that this show is more than fifty years old, having seen the light of day at London’s Royal Court Theatre in 1973. Since then, it has achieved “cult” status, having been almost constantly on tour, both in the UK and around the world. Originally without an interval, it was expanded into its present two-hour playing time when it transferred to the London’s Comedy (now the Harold Pinter) Theatre to complete nearly 3,000 performances from the initial UK run, which began in 1973 at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs, and then including the Chelsea Classic Cinema, King’s Road Theatre, and then the Comedy Theatre (West End, 1979 – 1980).
By “cult” status, I mean that it is something which people go to see again and again – an audience member in front of me had seen it thirteen times, four times in the last two years! In Brighton’s Theatre Royal when I was there, audience members were joining in the dialogue from the very start, almost all getting out of their seats to dance only fifteen minutes in! In fact, one almost felt sorry for anyone who had not seen the Rocky Horror Show before! They were very few in number and could easily be seen as they remained seated for longer than more seasoned punters!
Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show is, perhaps strangely, a typically British product! It is basically a tribute to the “B” movies associated with “Horror” and “Science Fiction” of which there seem to have been hundreds between the 1930s and early 1960s. The humour is “saucy” and camp in an old-fashioned way, having a light touch and never trying to offend. For those who are newbies, the plot concerns a recently engaged couple who, caught in a storm when their car breaks down, find their way to the home of a mad transvestite Dr Frank N Furter who has created a sort of Frankenstein monster, except in this case “Rocky” as he is called is the perfect muscular example of mankind!
In Christopher Luscombe’s production, which has been touring for twenty years, but still looks fresh and has terrific energy, Rocky is played by Morgan Jackson, who exactly understands the style needed as well as having the required muscles in the right places! Dr Frank N Furter is in the very capable hands, or should that be body, of Adam Strong, possessing not only a terrific stage presence but also a terrific singing voice.
The love interest, Brad and Janet, are portrayed by Connor Carson and Lauren Chia in a wonderful comic-book, two-dimensional way. Others who particularly impress in the seventeen-strong ensemble cast include Natasha Hoeberigs as the Usherette, whose songs open and close the show: quite a subtle portrayal compared with everyone else! Edward Bullingham demonstrates his vocal “Rock” capabilities in Act One as Eddie and Jackie Clune’s Narrator wittily reacts with the audience, in a role once played by Michael Aspel, Nicholas Parsons and Steven Fry, to name just a few!
Hugh Durrant’s “Comic Book” set, complete with 35mm film hiding the excellent band under Josh Sood and Nathan M Wright’s apt, energetic choreography, aid the creation of a fun night out. If only the sound balance (Gareth Owen) did not favour the band so much that it is often difficult to hear the singing!! However, most of the audience at Brighton were not at all worried by this as they were quite happy, especially in the first half, singing along to the various rock-style numbers.
If you know the show, you will already have booked your tickets, probably for the next tour as well! If you are new, you can look forward to a very entertaining evening, very tongue-in-cheek, very stylish and something which is completely different to any other musical – and, as I have already said, it is also 100% British! Highly recommended – and if you wish to dress up, feel free – the more outrageous the better! Many of the first night audience at Brighton had, so you will not feel out of place! Just go and enjoy!
Review by John Groves
Having been seen by over 35 million theatregoers, The Rocky Horror Show is the story of two squeaky clean college kids – Brad and his fiancée Janet. When by a twist of fate, their car breaks down outside a creepy mansion whilst on their way to visit their former college professor, they meet the charismatic Dr Frank’n’Furter. It is an adventure they’ll never forget, filled with fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity.
Directed by Christopher Luscombe, The Rocky Horror Show is the biggest party and features timeless classics, including Sweet Transvestite, Damn it Janet, and of course, the pelvic thrusting showstopping Time Warp.
Adam Strong – Frank-N-Furter
Lauren Chia – Janet
Connor Carson – Brad
Job Greuter – Riff Raff
Nathan Caton – Narrator
Natasha Hoeberigs – Magenta/Usherette
Jayme-Lee Zanoncelli – Columbia
Morgan Jackson – Rocky
Edward Bullingham – Eddie / Dr Scott
Ryan Carter-Wilson, Arthur Janes, Hollie Nelson, Erica Wild – Phantoms
Alex Hetherington, Stacey Monahan – Swings
Richard O’Brien – Writer
Christopher Luscombe – Director
Josh Sood – Musical Director
Hugh Durrant – Design
Sue Blane – Costume Designer
Nathan M. Wright – Choreographer
Nick Richings – Lighting Designer
Gareth Owen – Sound Designer
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
Theatre Royal Brighton, 14 to 19 April 2025
Then ‘World Tour’ continues to 13 June 2026
