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The phrase ‘cult-classic’ is often overused these days, but one show I will always make an exception for is The Rocky Horror Show. You don’t often expect to see corsets, fishnets, and feather boas in Stoke-on-Trent on a school night, but Richard O’Brien’s iconic musical comedy horror has a way of bringing out the wild side in everyone.
It would be easy for a show that’s more than 50 years old to start growing weary, but the intergenerational love for the late night double feature picture show runs deep, having been enjoyed by more than 35 million theatregoers. Continuing to pack out theatres across the globe, the production has been given an electric new lease of life under Christopher Luscombe’s direction and delivers exactly what fans crave – cheeky, camp, and unapologetically outrageous entertainment.
Leading the madness was Motherland star Jackie Clune. Sharp, quick-witted, and never missing a beat, she handled audience call-outs with hilarious timing and a twinkle of knowing mischief. Her presence anchored the show while letting the chaos unravel around her.
In previous versions of the show, we’ve seen some stuntcasting, with Ore Oduba as Brad or Blue’s Duncan James as Frank, and while they were brilliant, it was quite refreshing to see a cast of fresh faces and have them put their own stamp on the characters. As Frank-N-Furter, Adam Strong was a powerhouse – seductive, commanding, and vocally exceptional. He dominated every scene with his presence, his baritone numbers sung with strength and clarity. It was evident he had a lot of fun with the role, but showed the required amount of vulnerability, too, underneath all the basques and eyeshadow.
Lauren Chia as Janet and Connor Carson as Brad nailed their respective transformations from buttoned-up to liberated, both delivering standout vocals and bearing the brunt of the Rocky Horror audience heckles, which were delivered in abundance. Job Greuter’s Riff Raff and Natasha Hoeberigs’ Magenta together were intense and unbounded, their vocals seriously striking with spine-tingling harmonies, while Morgan Jackson brought all the muscle as the buff and bewildered Rocky
Of course, no Rocky Horror show is complete without its legendary soundtrack – and this cast didn’t miss a beat. Every number hit its mark, but it was the toe-tapping ‘Time Warp’ into the sultry swagger of ‘Sweet Transvestite’ that was a highlight for me. The numbers were delivered with gusto, backed by a live band and vibrant choreography that had the audience on their feet more than once.
Filled with frocks, frolics, and full-throttle fun, whether you’re a devoted fan or a Rocky Horror virgin, this is a night out you won’t soon forget. Running at the Regent Theatre until Saturday, May 10, get ready to do the Time Warp again – and again.
