Venue Cymru, Llandudno, March 3rd – 8th 2025 and touring
(4.5 / 5)
Howard Panter for Trafalgar Theatre Productions, Mallory Factor for Hill Street Productions and Rupert Gavin
The Rocky Horror Show has come a long way since it debuted upstairs in the Royal Court theatre in a 10.30 showing in an auditorium seating 60 people. What is it about the show that gives it a lasting appeal? Certainly there is a prevailing sense of fun throughout and the music is upbeat and energetic with the signature song, Time Warp having a timeless appeal. However it is the subversive nature of the story that has seen the show gain its cult following.
The storyline in one sense is a sideline. It was never meant to be profound, rather it was a spoof on a long line of 1950’s B-movies that had a sci-fi theme. A sweet couple having just got engaged break down in their car and seek help from Frank n Furters castle in the distance. There they enter an alternative reality that shakes their perception of normality to the core. Of course some of the inhabitants are aliens who take revenge on Frank n Furter who is guilty of having a profligate lifestyle and betraying some of his loyal servants.
The cast were well drilled, enthusiastic and energetic. Adam Strong as Frank n Furter was suitably commanding and was ably supported by the sinister Job Greuter as Riff Raff and the ebullient Jayme-Lee Zanoncelli as Columbia. The choreography was slick and well rehearsed while the set was simple, adaptable and effective.
The show is narrated by Joe McFadden who was excellent in dealing with the interruptions from the audience. These have obviously become part of the tradition of the show as they were not only tolerated but expected. Some of these were funny, sometimes the interruptions were intrusive. Either way, McFadden handled them well
First produced in 1973, the play picks up on the attitudes that exploded in Britain with the advent of the permissive society. This was the era of glam rock where people played around with traditional male and female norms and were less afraid of being openly indulgent in their sexual appetites. To quote, ‘Give yourself over to absolute pleasure’. Can people really do that without consequence?
Writer Richard O’Brien never expected it to last but shortly after it bombed on Broadway for not being high brow enough, he heard that it was getting cult following on campuses across the USA where students were attending a performance in costume. A new trend was formed that allowed those of us who were normally constrained by their career driven, family orientated lifestyles could throw off those shackles and go wild for the evening.
Now that the show is over 50 years old, does it retain its cutting edge? It is still subversive but has to be slightly more explicit to give that shock factor. There is also a disconnect. Having started off with such humble origins, the glitz and glamour of a West End style show seems slightly out of place. However, that does not detract from what remains a fun filled, light hearted and still slightly shocking show.
