Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Fugard takes a Rocky route
IT’S BEEN a while since Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show was staged professionally in Cape Town. Audiences are jumping in anticipation as the hit musical opens on July 10 at the Fugard, with Paul du Toit and Jenny Stead as the newly engaged couple, Brad and Janet, who are caught in a storm and find refuge at the home of a transvestite scientist, Dr Frank-N-Furter.
I watched rehearsals and was captivated. Adrian Galley (a veteran on radio in this country and who hosts 567 CapeTalk’s Morning Drive show) with his booming beautiful voice is the narrator. The creative team is headed by director Mathew Wild. Tina Driedijk, who has worked extensively in opera, has conjured up an epic set design which looks fab. It is all big, bold, sassy and sexy.
“It’s a play with a lot of heart. It has a lot of little messages that are beautiful and poignant and relevant to society today – who one is allowed to love and marry and all that,” said- Stead. I think she nails why Rocky Horror continues to be hugely popular. Beneath the upbeat sing-a-long songs, there is some of the best writing in musical theatre.
The show marks Stead’s debut in musical theatre. Her colleagues point out that the role of Janet ( made famous by Susan Sarandon in the film version) requires someone to act, not only sing, so she decided to give it a shot and was delighted when she made the cut.
Audiences can get in on the act by dressing up – on certain nights there are prizes for “best-dressed”. It is traditional for audiences to participate in the story – for example, by throwing confetti and rice in the wedding scene and by covering your head with newspaper when it rains.
The Fugard will sell participation packs for R50, which include props and a programme. There is also a quirky pre-show Rocky Menu which includes treats like the Sweet Transvestite ( crumbed mozzarella and fries) and Dammit Janet (crumbed mushrooms and fries) and themed cocktails. It looks like the Fugard has a winner with this one.
● Tickets are R90-R230 from Computicket on 0861 915 800 or the Fugard on 021 461 4554.
cohenry@netactive.co.za
ROBYN COHEN
THE OPENING of Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show on July 10 at the Fugard coincides with the relaunch of the theatre – which has been renovated and made better and bigger with 78 seats added, taking it from 260 to 338 seats.
When South African- born, London- based producer Eric Abrahams launched the Fugard national thespian luminaries like Sir Ian McKellen ( Waiting for Godot) and Sir Antony Sher (Arthur Miller’s Broken Glass).
The total renovation cost “is in the region of R2.5 million,” Fugard executive director Daniel Galloway said. In addition to the new seats the stage has been raised by 15cm and two new balconies face the stage in a curved fashion, which has made the theatre even more striking.
The Rocky Horror Show.