Review: Rocky Horror Show at Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham

Cult classic The Rocky Horror Show celebrates 50 years of doing the Time Warp on its latest tour, and it is quite some party. It may have reached its half-century but it is not slowing down.

The audience – and the cast – seemed to be having a ball at Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall, where it is being staged until Saturday.

This must be the only show where the audience has nearly as bigger part as the actors themselves – and most of them certainly dressed for the part as they shouted one-liners and put-downs at the cast.

This show is not really about the story, but there is one. Brad (Richard Meek) and his new fiancee Janet (Haley Flaherty) break down in the middle of a storm and seek help at a nearby house – where things start to get a little bit strange.

There, they come across mad transvestite scientist Frank N Furter, his loyal staff Riff Raff (Kristian Lavercombe) Columbia (Darcy Finden) and Magenta (Suzie McAdam) as they prepare to unveil their latest creation, Rocky (Ben Westhead).

Playing the narrator in Nottingham is Joe Mcfadden, who genuinely looked thrilled to be part of the production.

But the star of the show is undoubtedly Stephen Webb as Frank N Furter. He has played the role for three years and is simply perfect in the part. It is hard to imagine anyone else more suitable for the role.

It is risque, high-energy, slightly unhinged, but most of all a lot of fun as they lead us through the classics of Dammit Janet, Sweet Transvestite, and, of course, The Time Warp, which had everyone on their feet dancing.

There is an open invite to this birthday part and I would urge you to go along. It is likely to be unlike any other 50th birthday you have ever been to. – SH.