Rocky Horror Show – Mayflower Theatre, Southampton

Music, Lyrics and Book: Richard O’Brien

Director: Christopher Luscombe

Choreographer: Jenny Arnold

Reviewer: Jim Nicholson

The Public Reviews Rating:

Firstly let me make it clear that the audience loved the show. With the theatre filled with a huge cult following, mostly dressed in appropriate attire, every song, every joke and every interruption went down a storm.

But I think you really do have to be a ‘follower’ to ‘get it’ and, unfortunately, a ‘follower’ I am not. I actually found it one of the most uncomfortable nights I have spent at the theatre.

I am sure my comments will not put anyone off attending. Those that want to see this show will see it, but perhaps if, like me, you enjoy a more traditional night out then I suggest you may end up somewhat disappointed.

I knew what to expect and tried to enjoy myself but, sorry, it just wasn’t for me. That said I could still appreciate the commanding performance of David Bedella as Frank ‘N’ Furter, the quick wit of Ainsley Harriott as the Narrator, the powerful vocals of Mark Evans’s Brad and the cuteness of Haley Flaherty as Janet.

Bedella really does have a great presence about him and was believably captivating throughout as our Transylvanian Transvestite. He has a great vocal range and is suitably outrageous, just how many hairs can you find between your teeth? Aided, initially at least, by the ghoulish servant Riff-Raff, played by Brian McCann, we see our squeaky clean visitors, Brad and Janet, go on a ‘journey’ you would not want to let your maiden Aunt view.

McCann leads us into a decent version of ‘the Time Warp’ but that ends all too soon but we are treated to some fine vocals from Kara Lane as Magenta and Ceris Hine as Columbia. Dominic Tribuzio as the ‘Frank made’ Rocky treats us to some fine athleticism and has bulges up top and down below to make this reviewer well jealous.

Janet Bird’s set is both flash and trashy and enables the show to move about the castle at pace. The use of the moving cartoon drawings when viewing the CCTV certainly brought a smile to my face.

There is a nice feel to Jenny Arnold’s choreography but perhaps there are too few cast members to give it full justice.

The music is quickly forgettable with only ‘Time Warp’ staying in the memory for very long, but again I suppose I am out of touch as every stocking and suspender clad man present knew every word of every line, be it sung, spoken or needing to be thrown from the stalls.

If you are a fan of the show then you will have already booked your tickets, if you are pretty broad minded and appreciate the audience comments being as much part of the shows fabric as the cast then you should certainly join them. But if, like me, you tend to tut every time the person in the row behind whispers to their wife or you glare your disapproval when you notice your next seat neighbor reading a mobile text then this isn’t the show you are looking for.