REVIEW - THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW- NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE -

Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show first premiered in London in 1973 at the Royal Court’s Theatre Upstairs, the show has since been performed in over 30 countries worldwide. The cult classic movie came 2 years after the musical’s premiere, both have garnered a strong following of fans ever since.

I really don’t think a summary of the plot is necessary, I’m sure we all know the premise, and no one goes to see this show for the plot – which is chaotic and rather thin on the ground to say the least. But this is one production where this can be completely forgiven.

Hugh Durrant’s set design appears rather simplistic and almost two dimensional in appearance at the beginning. The staging improves throughout the show, with the staging during the end part of the show feeling extravagant, with red velvet material draped around the stage, elevating the show in its final moments.

Stephen Webb is exceptional in the iconic role of Frank N Furter, he confidently commands the stage and has increible stage presence. His vocals throughout are stunning, and his interactions with the audience are hilarious. Webb truly is the star of this show.

Kristian Lavercombe expertly drives the role of Riff Raff, he’s played this role in over 2000 performances worldwide, and it’s clear to see why – he’s pure brilliance, and who would want to leave this show when it’s so much fun!

In a superb casting move, Jackie Clune takes on the role of Narrator, I’ve not seen a woman in this role before and it is absolute genius. With the obvious heckles from the audience that this show is well known for, she was expecting every single line, but put her own unique twists on some of the responses expected. With a simple raise of the eyebrow or glance she could perfectly convey her point, and some of the jokes regarding politicians were topical, and very well received by the audience.

Containing all the classic musical numbers of the iconic soundtrack from ‘Sweet Transvestite’ to ‘Hot Patootie’, The Rocky Horror Show will have you dancing and singing in your seat. This is the only show where theatre etiquette goes out the window, and no one cares, in fact you must embrace it. The vocal performances on display here are truly something to behold, Suzie McAdam (Columbia) proves an absolute powerhouse.

Every theatre lover will have seen this show at least once, but there are also fans that enjoy repeat visits. There is something which keeps people coming back, and that is the amount of fun that is had at the show. What truly makes this show so much fun is the audience participation, you’ll be surrounding in maid outfits, glittery Columbia outfits and maybe even someone braving the winter cold in their undergarments.

This was my second visit to The Rocky Horror Show, and it will not be my last. It truly is one of the most fun shows around, and everyone should experience it at least once. Quite simply, ‘it’s astounding, time is fleeting’ – the show is only on at New Wimbledon Theatre this week so book a ticket before you miss it!

{🎟 AD – PR invite – Tickets were gifted in exchange for an honest review}

PACIFIC OVERTURES – REVIEW – MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY
by Mailí Ní Ghormáin
Since its Broadway premiere in 1976, Pacific Overtures has become a surprising addition to the musical theatre canon. Telling the story of Japan’s isolationist foreign policy transformed in 1853 by the arrival of American forces was and is not traditional musical theatre fare. Nor is the manner of telling; writers Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman, coupled with original director Hal Prince, sought to tell this as a Japanese story with techniques borrowed from kabuki and with music structured around fourths, rather than Western triads. Although relatively little known within Sondheim’s body of work, it is one of his most ambitious … More PACIFIC OVERTURES – REVIEW – MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY
CHRISKIRKPATRICKMAS – REVIEW – SEVEN DIALS PLAYHOUSE
by Amy Rye
Following on from a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe, this boy band Christmas music has made its way to the Seven Dials Playhouse. With an obvious influence from Dickens’ classic Christmas story, Chris Kirkpatrick is visited by an Angel – Marky Mark and is allowed to make a wish. What follows is an hour of boy band fun. Yes, this plot might sound crazy… but it ain’t no lie. The plot is rather thin on the ground, and whilst at times the production really leans into the weird and hilarious, so much about it could be made bigger. The … More CHRISKIRKPATRICKMAS – REVIEW – SEVEN DIALS PLAYHOUSE
A PISSEDMAS CAROL – REVIEW – LEICESTER SQUARE
by Amy Rye
The infamous Sh!t Faced Showtime are back in London with a festive edition, they have taken Dickens’ classic and put a drunken spin on it. The formula is the same as other iterations of the Shi!t Faced shows, one member of the cast has been boozing, and this time it is John Milton who plays Scrooge. Before the show, half a bottle of Jim Beam, some wine, and beer have been consumed in the previous 4 hours. The rest of the cast, try to keep the show on track, also aided by James Murfitt as the compere, Charles Dickens. The … More A PISSEDMAS CAROL – REVIEW – LEICESTER SQUARE
A CHRISTMAS CAROL – REVIEW – ALEXANDRA PALACE
by Ellie Preston
Spine-tingling yet heart-warming, Mark Gatiss’s retelling of A Christmas Carol truly encapsulates the haunting atmosphere of a Victorian ghost story, balanced out with enough humour so as to capture the festive season. Led by Keith Allen as Scrooge, with Peter Forbes as Marley, this show is perfect for Christmas viewing. The set design by Paul Wills is instantly captivating, containing stacks of metal cabinets towering over the theatre, moveable by the cast to allow space for other central props like doors, beds and tables. In addition to this, the puppetry design by Matthew Forbes is incredibly clever, adding creepy elements to the show such … More A CHRISTMAS CAROL – REVIEW – ALEXANDRA PALACE
A WOMAN WALKS INTO A BANK – REVIEW – THEATRE503
by Tom Carrao
The title of this winner of Theatre 503’s 2023 International Playwriting Award by Roxy Cook may seem like the set-up to a joke, but the narrative that unspools is instead an affectionate, gently barbed and at base quite sobering portrait of three ordinary souls (and one restless feline) adrift in modern Moscow. There is much affable, satirical back-and-forth commentary on the accepted myths & stereotypes of the Russian spirit & soul. Beset by the indignities of age, opportunism, graft, fatigue, the characters orbit one another, doomed to play out their roles in an unjust, predatory and saturnine universe. The play opens … More A WOMAN WALKS INTO A BANK – REVIEW – THEATRE503