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THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW is now in its 50th year, having come a long way from its very modest origins, back in 1973, when it played before just 63 people in the Royal Court’s Theatre Upstairs in London.
The show has been, by far, the most successful rock musical ever produced. It has been seen by over 30 million people in more than 30 languages and translated in to 20 countries.
Over the years many stars have participated in the show including Russell Crowe, Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Meat Loaf, Jerry Springer, Adam Lambert, Emma Bunton, Stephen Fry, Reg Livermore, Bert Newton, Gretel Killeen, Derryn Hinch, and Shane Jacobsen.
The show tells the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two squeaky clean college kids who meet Dr Frank-N-Furter, an extra-terrestrial mad scientist from the galaxy of Transylvania where people really like to party!
It’s an odyssey that they’ll never forget, with fun, frolics, frocks and frivolity, bursting with colour, songs and outrageous outfits. It is perfectly positioned playing at the same time as Sydney’s World Pride Festival.
Christopher Luscombe’s production, with book, music and lyrics by Richard O’Brien, works well. The show is a fast paced, sexy and anarchic experience. It is of-course true that society has changed and now there are many more people who can live authentic and more unconventional lives, still the show has plenty of life in it. The music is great with the classic song The Time Warp still the stand-out.
The show features a motley group of characters well played by the cast.
Jason Donovan is great, playing the much vaunted role of Frank-N- Furter, a far cry from his first professional role as the sweet natured role of Scott Robinson in Neighbours. This is not the first time that Donovan has played this role as he played the role in the musical’s 25th anniversary production.
Myf Warhurst was great as the likeable, excitable narrator who guides us through the show.
Deidre Khoo as Janet and Ethan Jones as Brad impressed as the naive young coupe whose lives open up dramatically when they take the detour to Frank-N-Furter’s castle.
Henry Rollo plays Riff Raff, a disgruntled Transylvanian who is one of Frank-N-Further’s stooges, who wants to overthrow his boss.
Stellar Perry plays both the usherette and Riff Raff’s sister and lover Magneta who serves as a maid to Frank-N- Furter.
Darcey Eagle plays Columbia, a lusty Transylvanian who falls in love with Frank-N-Furter and then ex delivery boy Eddie.
Loredo Malcolm plays Rocky who has been created from scratch by Frank-N-Furter. He is created to be the plaything of his maker. With his great physique, he is purely lustful and sexual creature.
Ellis Dolan plays two characters, the ‘rotten egg’ Eddie who aims to create havoc in Frank-N-Furter’s castle, and Dr Everett C. Scott, mentor of Brad and Janet and uncle of Eddie, who wanders into the castle in search of his nephew and serves as the scientific voice of reason.
The show’s main creative comprises Director Christopher Luscombe, Set Designer Hugh Durrant, Costume Designer Sue Blane, Choreographer Nathan M Wright, Lighting Designer Nick Richings with original musical arrangements by Richard Hartley.
It has just been announced that, for those who like the cinematic experience or more likely they can’t afford the cost of expensive theatre tickets, the show will be broadcast live to cinemas across Australia for just one night only on Thursday 30th March 2023.
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW is playing the Theatre Royal until Saturday April 1, 2023.
Featured image- Darcey Eagle as Columbia in The Rocky Horror Story’. Pic Daniel Boud
