Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Maybe next time I might wear fishnets
The Rocky Horror Show, Marlowe Theatre Before I begin this review of Rocky Horror Show, I have a confession to make... I have never seen the film.
So I felt somewhat overwhelmed (and underdressed) when I entered the foyer on opening night to be confronted with a sea of feather boas and fishnets.
Richard O’brien’s cult rock and roll musical hit the stage at the Canterbury venue this week, and the excitement was palpable.
The usual hushed buzz of anticipation was replaced with an almost carnivalesque atmosphere, as spectators in sequins and suspenders animatedly discussed what was to come.
Fans tried to describe the bizarre horror-comedy to me beforehand, but it’s safe to say it has to be seen to be believed.
The show follows Brad and Janet, an innocent young couple forced to seek refuge in the home of transvestite scientist Frank N Furter when their car breaks down.
He introduces them to his latest experiment, Rocky – a physically perfect artificial man – and a host of other flamboyant and fabulously camp characters.
Unfortunately, Diana Vickers, who plays Janet, had to pull out of the performance due to injury, but her understudy Lauren Ingram did a fine job as the good-girl-gone-bad.
The stand-out performance was courtesy of The Voice UK star Liam Tamne as the outrageously rude but hilarious Frank N Furter.
But there was no weak link, with a brilliant cast of hugely talented singers and actors who elicited some big laughs and even bigger cheers.
Within minutes of curtain up, the crowd were waving their arms in the air and shining torches on their phones.
The energy from the actors was absorbed by the audience who excitedly jumped to their feet to join in with classics like Sweet Transvestite and, of course, The Time Warp.
The more seasoned Rocky Horror followers confidently shouted responses to the charismatic and quick-witted narrator, played by Norman Pace.
This crowd participation is by far the most fun aspect of the show. You might be forgiven for thinking the hecklers are stooges, but it turns out the audience are as much a part of the cast as the actors, with everyone actively encouraged to join in.
There is even a “participation script” which has been used since the show’s beginnings in the 1970s.
It’s like a panto, but definitely not the type you would bring your kids to.
It might have been my first time, but I’d definitely be up for doing Rocky Horror (and The Time Warp) again.
The Rocky Horror Show is at The Marlowe Theatre until Saturday, August 6. Tickets from £20, visit marlowetheatre. com or call 01227 787787.
Joe Walker