Richard Obrien’s cult classic, The Rocky Horror Show was first produced in 1973 and has been doing the rounds ever since. The current touring version is a virtual rerun of the same polished technicolour rendition that has been running for the last 10 years or so and is no worse for that. Audiences have been wearing suspenders and fishnets, singing along and happily heckling since the 1970s.

For those who have never seen the show, it features the squeaky-clean young couple Brad (Connor Carson) and his girlfriend Janet (Lauren Chia) who stumble across a castle after their car breaks down. The castle is occupied by Dr Frank-N-Furter (Adam Strong) an alien Transvestite from the planet Transexual in the Galaxy of Transylvania who soon sets about removing their innocence.

What is different is this production is the lack of the usual suspects in the central cast; no reality stars or ‘celebrities’ here. The cast is completely revamped with experienced musical theatre performers, (Jason Donovan was not available for this week’s performances in Richmond).
Job Greuter plays Riff Raff, the put upon servant, to perfection. More sympathetic than pervious Riff Raff performers, his creepy, jerky gait and nervous twitches are a superb parody of Frankenstein’s servant Igor.

Taking center stage, Adam Strong as Frank-N-Furter is suitably camped in drag. He delivers powerful vocals in key songs (Sweet Transvestite) but also brings a soulful intensity to ‘I’m Going Home’.
Connor Carson and Lauren Chia as Brad and Janet are a strong pairing, each excellent in their own right, but also delivering a commendable vocal performance that harmonizes well.

Rocky (Morgan Jackson) a diminutive Arnold Schwarzenegger with a six-pack to match is a joy to watch. He delivers a compelling vocal performance during his rendition of ‘The Sword of Damocles’ and let’s not forget the zany hyperactive performance of Columbia (Jayme-Lee Zanoncelli). Natasha Hoeberigs excels as the Usherette and Magenta, demonstrating her versatility in playing two very different characters throughout the show.

Jackie Clunes’s razor-sharp, female narrator does an exceptional job, inserting plenty of topical meta and MAGA humour throughout. Her timing is impeccable, enjoying every double entendre, and responding to the audience heckling with some new and very different twists. Scripted or not it was an outstanding performance.

Although not for the prudish, The Rocky Horror Show is a delightful and fun romp.

4 stars

Reviewer Nina Gardner.

Tickets for the Rocky Horror show at the Richmond Theatre are available at https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-rocky-horror-show/richmond-theatre

Photographs courtesy of David Freeman

Cast

Frank n Furter Adam Strong
Narrator Jackie Clune
Brad Connor Carson
Janet Lauren Chia
Eddie/Dr Scott Edward Bullingham
Riff Raff Job Greuter
Magenta/Usherette Natasha Hoeberigs
Rocky Morgan Jackson
Columbia Jayme-Lee Zanoncelli
Phantom Ryan Carter-Wilson
Phantom Arthur Janes
Phantom Hollie Nelson
Phantom Erica Wild
Swing Alex Hetherington
Swing/Dance Captain Stacey Monahan

Creatives

Writer Richard O’Brien
Director Christopher Luscombe
Set Designer Hugh Durrant
Costume Design Sue Blane
Choreographer Nathan M Wright
Lighting Designer Nick Richings
Sound Designer Gareth Owen
Musical Arrangements Richard Hartley