The Rocky Horror Show is at the Opera House in Manchester until Saturday 25 February.
On a mundane Monday night in Manchester, I felt decidedly unprepared and underdressed in a packed Opera House that simmered with excitement.
I soon perked up. Collective expectations were high.
We were there to experience the opening night of the latest leg of the iconic musical, to give it its full title, Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show, the legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical, as part of the world tour 2022-2023.
It first hit the stage in 1973, 50 years ago, a tribute to the science fiction and horror B movies of the 1930s through to the early 1960s.
During this time, the legendary smash hit musical has been seen by 30 million people in the longest continuous run of a contemporary musical anywhere in the world.
The curtain was slowly drawn back by Roxy, the cinema usher who introduces us to the story - to Brad and Janet, our wholesome American sweethearts who are about to have their small-town minds blown.
The set was delightfully retro, and as their car broke down and they approach the castle looking for a telephone to call for help, we were led into Frank N Furter’s domain by the madly eccentric Riff Raff.
The audience play an active part in the show, calling out hilarious (and sometimes quite naughty) responses to those now well-versed lines.
The narrator, Reece Budin, took it all in his stride, like a true stand-up, his comedic and witty responses had us all in stitches. My companion likened it to ‘adult panto’.
The small, insanely talented cast were exceptional.
They were tight, truly comfortable in their roles, but by no means complacent, and they wholeheartedly sold it.
The solos from each main character showcased their incredible voices and together their collective chorus was beautiful. You’ll know many of the songs, some of them legendary, and the live band really delivered.
When it was time for the Timewarp, the audience were on their feet in seconds, hands in the air, ready to dance along. It was a joyous, collective experience that I didn’t know I needed on a Monday night.
Our Brad and Janet were played by Richard Meek and Haley Flaherty and, as their American dream quickly descended into a nightmare, we applauded their transformation into debauchery.
Frank n Furter was majestic, commanding and very playful, he had the audience eating out of his hand, hanging on every masterfully delivered line. We loved this sweet transvestite.
Stephen Webb as Frank n Furter
His side-kick Riff Raff was played by Kristian Lavercombe, a Rocky Horror veteran who has played this part more than 2,000 times having been a part of the show more than anyone else in its 50 years on stage.
The whole cast gave a very slick, accomplished performance and the interaction with the lively and vocal audience was a hilarious delight. We laughed until we cried. They were given a well-deserved standing ovation.
Given that this musical has been going for 50 years, I wondered how it would have been viewed back then.
It must have seemed provocative, controversial, subversive, and very risqué. I can image some reacted in horror but perhaps this was the desired effect.
Thankfully, our corset and fishnet-wearing Manchester crowd of 2023 received it with open arms, open hearts, and open minds. We’ve come a long way in 50 years.
