THE Rock and
Roll Musical from Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show has become such a cult
over the years, it may not feel quite as outrageous as it once felt, but it’s
still one of the most deliciously entertaining nights out.
The audience
on the first night may have appeared a little subdued. There weren’t as many
people dressed up to emulate the characters, but they still, politely, joined
in by shouting out the expected lines, allowing the cast to drive the story on.
There was the odd hesitation from the cast, waiting to see if the audience knew
the correct response, but that didn’t detract from the performance. One of the
highlights of the show is the Narrator, Philip Franks, whose perfect ad libs,
bringing in a number of topical and local links are hysterical, he is one of
the best Narrators I’ve seen.
The story
follows Brad, Reece Budin, and his new fiancé Janet, Haley Flaherty, as their car
breaks down and they stumble upon a castle, where they hope to find help. Here
they encounter the subordinates of Riff Raff, Kristian Lavercombe, Magenta,
Suzie McAdam and Columbia, Lauren Ingram. The power-crazed Frank N Furter,
Stephen Webb, creates Rocky, Ben Westhead, as Brad and Janet’s values are undermined.
There is not
one weak performance in this production every piece of acting and singing is
absolute perfection, including the set, lighting, sound and the band.
There is
only one warning – if you see this show, you’ll want to go again and again!
Rocky Horror
Show runs until Saturday 8th January at Darlington Hippodrome.
