The Rocky Horror Show Review
- therevueuk
- Sep 11, 2024
- 3 min read
Jason Donovan leads an astounding cast in this hilariously camp production.
When a show is a cult classic in such a way as The Rocky Horror Show, part of the buzz of each performance isn't just the onstage magic, but it's also talking to fans in the theatre's foyer, admiring the vast array of homemade costumes and, in the case of The Rocky Horror Show, jeering along with an audience that become an additional character in the script. The atmosphere was most certainly electric at this 'guaranteed party', and boy was it a party.
When clean-cut all-American couple Brad (delightfully nerdy Connor Carson) and Janet (Lauren Chia who perfectly encapsulates the parody style) find themselves unexpectedly broken down in a storm, they take comfort in the nearest shelter, on the hunt merely for a phone to call for help. What they find is a raucous and unexpected evening ahead.
Whilst not unexpected, my evening too was definitely raucous, dancing to the infamous Time Warp and joining in as we berated Brad, Janet, and Narrator Mawaan Rizwan throughout the performance. It was great to see how the 12-strong cast, who all perform the show with such energy and verve, navigate their way through these call-outs, some of which are clearly new each evening. Rizwan is headstrong and riotously funny as the Narrator when he both flirts and berates us at the same time, his stand up skills kicking in allowing him to improvise his way through the evening whilst never missing a beat.
The stars of the show, though, were Job Greuter as Riff Raff and Natasha Hoeberigs as Magenta/Usherette who both astound with their characterisations and delectable vocals, and the transformative leading performance of Frank'n'Furter by Jason Donovan. Big shoes to fill, metaphorically and physically, he delivers the role with eccentricity, flair and sultriness and has so much fun onstage that you can't help but be swept along with him.
Christopher Luscombe's direction is funny and leans very nicely into the style of the show. He, along with the cast and the audience, are able to eek every joke out of each moment leaving us with ribs that hurt from laughing and feet that hurt from dancing along to a classic rock score performed without fault by MD Josh Sood and talented band.
Much like the film, though, the script is equal parts hilarious and overwhelmingly confusing at the same time. Particularly in Act 2 I found it hard to understand what was happening or why it was - with characters announcing their departure that leads us into an unexplained burlesque show prefacing an emotional ballad by Donovan, the second half of this short show is enough to give you a bout of unexplainable whiplash. I assume, in the nature of the show's parodying of sci-fi and B movies, the confusing plot line is an intentional choice and it still didn't stop me from having a great time, but perhaps a clear resolution could've satisfied me more.
In all, The Rocky Horror Show is a great night out with songs that you'll know and love delivered by an exceptional cast as they embark on a UK tour following this West End stint. Whilst the script may not have been strong narratively, the humour, wit and love for his source material that O'Brien showcases, under the watchful eye of Luscombe make for a guaranteed party.
The Rocky Horror Show is performing at London's Dominion Theatre until 20th August. Tickets are available here.
