REVIEW: The Rocky Horror Show

© David Freeman

The mother of all glam-rock shows makes a red hot return to the Birmingham stage.

The Rocky Horror Show is now playing at The Alexandra Theatre.

Richard O’Brien’s exhilarating and immersive glam-rock influenced musical, which encourages audience participation, first premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in 1973 and has been seen by over 30 million people around the world.

The stage show proved so successful that it was adapted into a sensational Hollywood movie in 1975 which was shot across locations used by the famous Hammer Films. The film starred Susan Sarandon and Meatloaf, with Richard O’Brien and Tim Curry reprising their roles from the hit stage version.

This is the kind of stage musical that starts right outside on the street as people line up in queues waiting for their turn to enter the theatre. The audience at the press night performance was a lush rainbow of gender fluid colours and outfits, with exotic hats, lingerie and stilettos that evoke and celebrate the characters of the musical.

The story of this catchy tune-laden musical is simplicity and is a heartfelt tribute to the Sci-Fi and cult B-Movies of the 1950’s.

A clean cut, prim and proper courting couple is out one wet and wild night when their car breaks down near the spooky residence of lascivious transvestite Dr Frank N Furter who is in the middle of a secret experiment to create an artificial man called Rocky who has the perfect physique.

The interactions between the conservative couple and the madcap scientist make for raunchy and raucous interplay between the performers and audience members.

Each performance of this high energy show is a unique experience because the material allows room for audience participation, and humorous heckling, which adds layers of unexpected improvisations and excitement.

The cast of this production do full justice to this long-running singing and dancing show.

James Bisp and Haley Flaherty as the squeaky clean and green-behind-ears couple Brad and Janet share a natural warmth, and their transformation from spotless and innocent souls descending into Frank N Furter’s sweaty abyss of debauchery and sinful pleasures is quite a sight to behold.

Tim Curry as Frank N Furter in the film version still remains the very epitome of the character but Stephen Webb dominates in this lively theatrical production and he takes centre stage in every scene that he appears in. As soon as Webb coyly strutted into the spotlight and seductively opened his coat to reveal his alluring undergarments the audience went wild and showed their appreciation with cheeky wolf whistles and applause.  

Webb teases and plays with the audience and he generates the right balance between high camp and delicious drama. He wears his erotic attire as naturally as he sings and delivers his naughty and infectious lines that are edged with double meanings. He is absolutely convincing and full of zingy energy as he swings and sways his hips about the stage in high heels with complete ease.

Riff Raff, another iconic character in the show who casts a long shadow from the movie version – and who was played by show creator Richard O’Brien – is performed with mischievous delight by Ryan Carter-Wilson who relishes the role.

Jackie Clune makes a welcome return as the Narrator. Her experience and insight have been honed in and she handles her part with professionalism.

Another performer who also makes a welcome return is Morgan Jackson in the role of the muscular and athletic Rocky. Jackson absolutely heated up the temperature inside the theatre. He melted quite a few hearts in the auditorium.

Nathan Wright’s sizzling choreography takes the original moves and gives them a new spin while still retaining the powerhouse energy in each song and dance number.

Sue Blane’s glitter-and-glam costume designs evoke decadent styles which have become such an integral part of the show. Blane is no stranger to the world of The Rocky Horror Show as she worked on the original movie adaption.

The surreal and feverish landscape of The Rocky Horror Show is brought to life by set designer Hugh Durrant who uses bold prime colours and vibrant neon lines to craft the sin drenched world of Frank N Furter. Even the inky black shadows look slinky and kinky.

Despite the gothic mist and pools of darkness the lighting by Nick Richings glows with glamour which heightens the unabashed hedonistic mood of the show.

The sound seemed to have some technical issues, and at one point the show had to pause while things were put right. Hopefully this glitch, which occurred during the press night, will be set right for the next performance.

Director Christopher Lushcombe should be proud of what he’s achieved with this production of a cult-classic that has become part of the cultural landscape around the globe. A show that is more than 50-years old is brought to the 21st century in a bright and exiting manner that pulsates with energy.

It’s time to put on a lick of lipstick, slip into a pair of stilettos, and pull on black suspenders-and-garters and dance to the time warp again!

The Rocky Horror Show remains as hot, fiery and passionate as ever.

VERDICT: ★ ★ ★ ★ 

The Rocky Horror Show is now playing at The Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham until Saturday 11th July 2026