Hard on the platform heels of the recently finished panto season comes another cross dressing tradition, this time in the stiletto strutting form of rock n roll musical the Rocky Horror Show.
Nottingham folk, like Brits everywhere, seem to love an oppurtunity to get jazzed up, head down to a local theatre and engage in some ritualistic heckling of men in drag. Only this time the audience like to dress up as well, often in the same eye-popping array of suspenders, corsets and fishnets as the cast, and that’s just the men. That sex shop down Hockley must make a fortune.
A good slice of the audience had made the effort, with outfits ranging from blue peter style costumes and simple lacey bedroom wear, through to those who have authentic costumes complete with size 10 6-inch stiletos. There are some who are hot and some who, well, imagine Ray Winston in suspenders and a G-string. Egad.
Now in its 33rd year, the real attraction to the Rocky Horror cult is the audience participation. Cue an anarchic bunch of wackily clad fans, armed with props and flashing lights, gleefully shouting cheeky innuendo and ad-libs at the cast, much of which is practically scripted in. People do this at showings off the film too as well, it is however MUCH better on stage as you have real actors to play with. I'm pleased to say were some proper Notts wags in the audience on Monday, their snappy heckles bringing many smiles and concerted expressions to the cast. Hurrah!
Leading the action on stage is David Bedella who is wonderfully wicked as Dr Frank N Furter. His deep David Bowieeque voice is sublimely suited for the sassy rock and roll numbers. David has really made the role his own, relishing his strutting and slutting whilst dropping the pronunci-ation of the film.
The rest of the cast run a tight ship, with bags of enthuisiasm all round. Highlights include Claire Parrish as the seductive usherrete at the start of the show, who also plays a glamerous Magenta, and Richard Meek cutting some fine singing as the straight laced Brad. The D list celebrity narrator for the evening was Brian Capron (serial killer Richard Hillman off Corrie) who was booed on and off the stage panto syle, but to his credit was good-humoured inbetween the audience banter and pot-shots.
Don’t expect a carbon copy of the film, while the action is closer to the film than the original stage version, the casting won’t flick all the switches. Squeaky showgirl Columbia and Janet while good in their own way aren’t too close to the original articles, which won’t appease armchair enthuisiasts. Known as ‘masturbators’ in cult circles. However, the set and costumes are in the same humourously cheese and shakey style as the original, but with some great new touches, including some witty use of the castle monitors and a riotous bed scene.
This is one of the better tours in recent years and crazed fans or no, the standing ovations before the final timewarp were well deserved. It's great fun, Rocky Horror should definitely be on everyone’s list of ‘things to do before I die’.
Richard O'Brien's Rocky Horror Show plays at the Theatre Royal until Saturday the 3rd of February.
The show website
The film website
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