REVIEW
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
Richard O'Brien's ROCKY HORROR SHOW Tour
coming to the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend on Sea
29th July - 3rd August 2019
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
Richard O'Brien's ROCKY HORROR SHOW Tour
coming to the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend on Sea
29th July - 3rd August 2019
The Rocky Horror Show landed at the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend last night and if the first night audience is any indication of the popularity of this show, then it's going to be a busy week for the theatre.
More than 100,000 people have seen the show during the tour with Strictly star, Joanne Clifton playing Janet alongside James Darch (who we interviewed recently) as fiancé, Brad. Steve Punt takes the role of the Narrator and Stephen Webb plays Frank N Furter in the legendary musical extravaganza which tells the story of Brad and Janet, who take refuge at the home of a mad transvestite scientist. There they meet a household of wild characters and all innocence is lost. It also stars Kristian Lavercombe, who has now played the role of creepy butler, Riff Raff, for over a record breaking 1400 performances around the world, and who must now be almost as synonymous with Rocky Horror as Richard O'Brien, its creator.
More than 100,000 people have seen the show during the tour with Strictly star, Joanne Clifton playing Janet alongside James Darch (who we interviewed recently) as fiancé, Brad. Steve Punt takes the role of the Narrator and Stephen Webb plays Frank N Furter in the legendary musical extravaganza which tells the story of Brad and Janet, who take refuge at the home of a mad transvestite scientist. There they meet a household of wild characters and all innocence is lost. It also stars Kristian Lavercombe, who has now played the role of creepy butler, Riff Raff, for over a record breaking 1400 performances around the world, and who must now be almost as synonymous with Rocky Horror as Richard O'Brien, its creator.
There have been a few changes since the last time we saw the touring version of the Rocky Horror Show; the set has been redesigned with a fabulous sweep of film reel adorning the more familiar gothic abode of Frank N Furter's castle, complete with stuffed dodo on the wall. The costumes have been taken back to the original influences of the stage show and film, this thanks to original costume designer, Sue Blane. Sue famously costumed the show and film back in 1973 and all on a budget of just £400!
Director, Christopher Luscombe and resident choreographer, Andrew Ahern, have otherwise produced a cast with all the familiar and iconic characters that Rocky Horror fans will know and love.
Anyone who is only familiar with Joanne Clifton from Strictly Come Dancing and has never seen her perform musical theatre before, will be in for a real treat. She is possibly the best Janet I've seen in this production and gives a hugely convincing performance, alongside James Darch who likewise does a great job playing, perhaps, a rather too good looking Brad.
Director, Christopher Luscombe and resident choreographer, Andrew Ahern, have otherwise produced a cast with all the familiar and iconic characters that Rocky Horror fans will know and love.
Anyone who is only familiar with Joanne Clifton from Strictly Come Dancing and has never seen her perform musical theatre before, will be in for a real treat. She is possibly the best Janet I've seen in this production and gives a hugely convincing performance, alongside James Darch who likewise does a great job playing, perhaps, a rather too good looking Brad.
Steve Punt as Narrator had his work cut out for him at the opening night at the Cliffs Pavilion, with a gaggle of the audience fully loaded with retorts at every opportunity, as is the Rocky Horror tradition. He batted them all off brilliantly much to the delight of said gaggle and also the rest of the audience. This is what makes Rocky Horror such a great evening's entertainment. You never know just what's going to happen and that makes it all the more exciting.
A whoop of cheer from the audience arose when Kristian Lavercombe popped his head through the castle turret, perhaps now the only person as popular as Richard O'Brien to play the role of Riff Raff and an even bigger cheer came for Stephen Webb as he strode across the stage, whipping off his cape to reveal the fishnet stockinged legs of Frank N Furter.
A whoop of cheer from the audience arose when Kristian Lavercombe popped his head through the castle turret, perhaps now the only person as popular as Richard O'Brien to play the role of Riff Raff and an even bigger cheer came for Stephen Webb as he strode across the stage, whipping off his cape to reveal the fishnet stockinged legs of Frank N Furter.
Laura Harrison, Miracle Chance give nice performances as Magenta and Colombia and Ross Chisari plays the dual roles of Eddie and Dr Scott perhaps with a little less gumption than we are used to seeing from Meatloaf in the film version but this is always going to be a tough role to follow.
Callum Evans as the titular Rocky Horror has to be the most athletic Rocky I've ever seen, with pumping biceps and triceps, he flips himself around the stage with the skill of an Olympic gymnast and all the while singing without losing his breath. Now there's a way to stay fit.
The cast provide great energy in every number including Sweet Transvestite, Time Warp, Touch-a Touch-a Touch-a Touch Me, and I'm Going Home and belt out every number to perfection. This show sounds amazing. It also looks fabulous with Nick Richings' lighting design which is unbelievably effective throughout.
Fans of the film and of previous productions will not be disappointed. This is Rocky Horror at its outrageous, cross-dressing, hammy B-movie, iconic finest. The perfect chance to throw off any inhibitions. Don't miss the opportunity to slip into your fishnets and basques this week - ladies you can dress up too if you like!
Review: Kim Tobin
Callum Evans as the titular Rocky Horror has to be the most athletic Rocky I've ever seen, with pumping biceps and triceps, he flips himself around the stage with the skill of an Olympic gymnast and all the while singing without losing his breath. Now there's a way to stay fit.
The cast provide great energy in every number including Sweet Transvestite, Time Warp, Touch-a Touch-a Touch-a Touch Me, and I'm Going Home and belt out every number to perfection. This show sounds amazing. It also looks fabulous with Nick Richings' lighting design which is unbelievably effective throughout.
Fans of the film and of previous productions will not be disappointed. This is Rocky Horror at its outrageous, cross-dressing, hammy B-movie, iconic finest. The perfect chance to throw off any inhibitions. Don't miss the opportunity to slip into your fishnets and basques this week - ladies you can dress up too if you like!
Review: Kim Tobin
Directed by Christopher Luscombe, the smash hit show features all of the famous musical numbers which have made The Rocky Horror Show such a huge hit for over four decades, including “Sweet Transvestite”, “Science Fiction/Double Feature”, “Dammit Janet” and, of course, the timeless floor-filler, “The Time-Warp”.
The Rocky Horror Show tells the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two squeaky clean college kids who meet Dr Frank’n’Furter by chance when their car breaks down outside his house whilst on their way to visit their favourite college professor. It’s an adventure they’ll never forget, with fun, frolics, frocks and frivolity, bursting with timeless songs and outrageous outfits. The Rocky Horror Show is a guaranteed party, which famously combines science-fiction, horror, comedy and music while encouraging audience participation meaning, of course, getting dressed in the most outrageous fancy dress. Website: www.rockyhorror.co.uk Twitter: @rockyhorroruk Facebook: /rockyhorrorshow Tickets from www.southendtheatres.org.uk / 01702 351135 |