The Rocky Horror Show – Theatre Royal, Brighton and Touring

Callum Evans and Stephen Webb in The Rocky Horror Show at Theatre Royal, Brighton and Touring. Picture: David Freeman

The Rocky Horror Show continues at the Theatre Royal, Brighton until 5 January 2019 and then on tour until 2 November.

Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩

In the 45 years since Richard O’Brien debuted The Rocky Horror Show, it has accrued the kind of fanatical cult status that very few shows can. Corset and fishnet clad fans flock to every performance and, in truth, form part of the experience themselves. The real genius of this production is its distinct awareness of the audience’s part. The whole thing puts huge faith in its viewers – faith which pays off in a big way.

This new touring production, directed by Christopher Luscombe, of The Rocky Horror Show is greatly lovable. A few of the sets are perhaps a bit too naff and a couple of accents get a little… rocky at times but, apart from these minor blemishes the complete package shines. It shines most in its interactivity. Like any cult show it has an audience prepared to join in and wave their arms but unlike most, it incorporates this enthusiasm into its arsenal. Some of the funniest moments come from the perfect comic pairing combining fans with exact knowledge of where each word fits into the uproariously naughty dialogue with absolutely dead-on humorous timing.

Dom Joly puts in a stand-out performance as a Narrator who absorbs each shouted line as if it is absolutely new to him, then releasing a witty rejoinder that, while hilarious, again feels fresh and unpredictable.

Joly is joined by an impressively talented group. Both Joanne Clifton (Janet) and Ben Adams (Brad) deliver appropriately clueless and absurdly strait-laced performances that gradually and seamlessly dissolve on contact with Frank‘N’Furter (Stephen Webb). Webb himself is the embodiment of joyful wickedness and his chemistry with every one of his household, both staff and guests alike, is unmistakable.

Callum Evans’ portrayal of Rocky truly left me wondering how the casting department found someone who looked the part of Frank’s creation but could also deliver a powerful vocal performance, accomplish a varied set of acrobatics, and fully engage with some marvellous comic moments.

Every member of the cast is a part of the nearly 50-year-old but still strong set of songs. Each one crackles not only with its own power, but the gift of devotion bestowed upon it by every audience member who claps and dances along. Even songs like ‘Time Warp’, which have since taken on a life of their own as symbols of a generation still feel at their most impactful within the show from which they were born. This energy is reflected in the actors. The choreography is as honed as the vocals and gives even more life to each and every number, no matter how much acclaim it otherwise has.

In essence, as ever, the show is for its fans. The special something here is the acceptance and, further, employment of that. The spirit that can be felt, the anticipation of each moment to come makes seeing Rocky Horror a highly enjoyable experience.

Tom Martland