Full of fun, energy and the crazy life of Richard O’Brien; Rocky Horror celebrates 40 years of creation but loses touch with younger audiences.
Richard O’Brien’s cult-hit musical The Rocky Horror Picture Show arrived at the Sheffield Lyceum Theatre this past Monday; celebrating its 40th year rocking audiences worldwide.
Created by Richard O’Brien and Jim Sharman as a tribute to science fiction and horror B movies, the show follows the lives of Brad and Janet; a young couple that breakdown on their way home through a dark forest and call for help at a mysterious house.
Unfortunately, that is where the depth of the storyline ends. I couldn’t help but find the writing weak and without substance. In a society where individualism is celebrated so easily, and musicals such as Cabaret and Priscilla so popular, men dressed in female clothing just doesn’t have the same shocking factor I imagine it did during the shows creation 40 years ago.
Although other narratives do occur throughout the 2 hour production; the creation of a tanned muscle man through science and played very well by Harry Neale (Rocky), and bed-hopping between Frank N Furter and the romantic leads, the show drags on through poorly-written song and dull and unimaginative dance routines.
The show does however have the occasional gentle moment, most noticeably taken by Frank N Furter, however they unfortunately don’t last.
A featured member of the ensemble, who’s name and role undeservingly isn’t featured, took my favourite moment of the show; opening with ‘Science Fiction, Double Feature’. Gorgeous vocals and a great opening to the show. I was hooked from the beginning; just a shame it didn’t last.
Audiences however weren’t put off by the mid-week performance still taking to the streets of Sheffield in full stocking and suspenders; and that was just the men!
Once you get passed the initial shock of all the performers, and almost all the men offstage too, wearing suspenders and small pants, the show becomes very hollow.
I couldn’t help but notice many other younger audience members feeling disengaged with the piece itself; almost questioning what was going on.
Audiences though were continually on their feet dancing throughout the show; not noticeably during the most famous number from the show: ‘Time Warp’.
The show was later turned into a hit film in 1975 by the same name.
The show however belongs to the tall, long-legged leading man in Oliver Thornton. Recently back from a three-year stretch in the Australian outback in Priscilla – Queen of the Desert in London’s West End, Thornton is every-bit comfortable in the stockings, suspenders and high-heels and commands every inch of the iconic role; Frank N Furter.
Carrying himself with confidence in the heels, the highly revealing outfits and demands full attention of the audience from his first entrance 25 minutes into the show.
Thornton is an example of character research and pure talent together.
Oliver Thornton performing ‘Sweet Transvestite’.
It’s weak writing aside, the production is held together with a strong cast of supporting actions. Credit must go to Kristian Lavercombe as Riff Raff and Philip Franks as The Narrator; both delivering vocally sublime and hilarious character portrayals respectively.
As is tradition with the show, its romantic leading lady was cast by a television celebrity. It was great to experience an understudy performance in Rachel Grundy, covering for an ill Roxanne Pallett, as Janet Weiss.
Dancing on Ice star Sam Attwater also made a great addition to the cast as Brad Majors.
The legacy of the show itself is clearly visible throughout the evening with the audience singing along loudly from the opening to the final number. Audience support and younger audience members curiosity in the cult no-doubt helping out in filling theatres still today.
I enjoyed my evening in heels, makeup and dress at Rocky Horror however without the party atmosphere and audience support throughout the show, Rocky Horror would be a weak school production at most.
Tour venue and ticket information available the official Rocky Horror website at: http://www.rockyhorror.co.uk
Header and all photographs copyright to http://www.rockyhorror.co.uk and @RockyHorrorUK.
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