Rocky Horror Night continues at Frankenstein Pub until 23 August, with performances on on 16, 21 and 23 August.
Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ ✩ ✩
If you’re looking for a nice sit-down production of Richard O’Brien’s camp midnight-movie staple (and why would you?!), then forget it – the Rocky Horror Show staged at the (rather apt) Frankenstein’s is a chaotic, let’s-dance-on-the-bar affair that, despite its faults, somehow manages to stay true to the original, subversive ethos of the show.
At the scheduled start time, the classic 1975 cult movie was projected on to large screens throughout the considerably sized ground floor bar area… not that anyone told the DJ, whose mixed set continued throughout the first three-quarters of the movie.
There was a brief interlude, when the animatronic figure of Frankenstein was lowered reverentially from the ceiling and sparked to life, then it was back to the DJ, with the movie continuing, silently, throughout. I have to admit to losing my patience somewhat – there’s a lot to see in Edinburgh, so where was the show?
But then, more than an hour after the scheduled start time – naughty, naughty – it kicked off properly. The bar staff suddenly appeared in basques and fishnets, and an usherette clambered unceremoniously on to the bar for the first number, ‘Science Fiction, Double Feature’. No doubting the gal can sing, thankfully, and the singalong audience, by now three sheets to the wind, joined in with gusto.
Thereafter, the ‘show’ (now apparently in its 16th year) unfolded in fits and starts throughout the (long) evening and into the early hours. Two or three songs were presented at a time – all delivered from atop the bar, perfectly enjoyable and true to the original movie version – with vast spells of the DJ interspersed.
There’s plenty of audience participation – including dancing on the bar – and you’ll end up doing ‘The Time Warp’ a few times – but as I say, don’t expect a cohesive narrative or a staged show: this is more of a highlights show with fishnetted bar staff playing the roles every 20 minutes or so.
As the clock ticked towards 1.30am, the singing – and random DJ-ing – continued and I couldn’t help but enjoy every minute of it.
The atmosphere was buzzing, and while the material didn’t quite get the respect it deserves (I genuinely think that O’Brien’s musical is worthy of classic status) it was an enjoyable night.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you: just be prepared, Fringe-style, to be drunk and “dragged” along with the story (pun intended). Those who seemed to be having the most fun were the brave punters who turned up in basques, heels and rubber gloves. If only my fishnets weren’t at the dry cleaners…
Craig Glenday
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