Stephen Webb

The Rocky Horror Show

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Reviewed by Sean Harris & Amy Mercer

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

From its debut in 1973 this show was breaking boundaries, causing people to gasp in shock at what they were witnessing on stage. We can tell you first hand that this has not changed. Though the story is the same as the one we have always known and loved, the new jokes and witty comments bring a breath of fresh air to this show. The narrator (Philip Franks) throughout makes reference to current world issues which really helps this 50-year-old show feel modern and relatable.

Not only were the performers incredible but you become really emersed in the show and we don’t think it’s too far to say that the audience is just as important as the actors on stage, whether you’re getting up on your feet to do the time warp (again) or shouting out crude jokes to the cast on stage, this show is just good fun. You can really see when watching the show how well trained these actors are for a show such as this, not many shows enjoy having the audience shout profanity at the stage and sing along to the songs, however Rocky Horror thrives on this. The comedic timing of this show is second to none with the actors being well prepared and sometimes even going off script to suit the audience’s reactions.

Richard Meek and Haley Flaherty who play Brad and Janet excellently portray the sexual journey each character takes from their prude and naive beginnings to their sexual awakening, guided through the allure of Dr Frank-N-Furter. A highlight of Brad and Janets time on stage were their respective bedroom scenes with Dr Frank-N-Furter, each of these scenes had the whole audience aching with laughter. The vocals throughout this show are amazing and never dip in energy. We personally thought that the Usherette played by Suzie McAdam did an incredible job at opening the show with her incredible vocals and ditsy, sassy attitude. Another favourite vocal moment of ours was during the chorus of the song ‘Eddie’. The piece opens with Dr Scott played by Joe Allen singing his solo but as the chorus ensues the whole cast join in. The harmonies and fullness of the vocals in this section were phenomenal and it really had us taken aback.

We wouldn’t be talking about The Rocky Horror Show if we didn’t talk about the sensual and hilarious character of Dr Frank-N-Furter, this role is truly iconic and Stephen Webb did not disappoint, we were truly in awe of the talent and charisma shining out of this actor. It takes a lot of confidence to get up on stage in front of so many people and portray such an outrageous character but not only did he present the character perfectly, but he made this iconic role his own with his groundbreaking interpretation, not to mention doing it all in platform heels.

The wonderfully strange gang consisting of Riff Raff, Columbia and Magenta played by Kristian Lavercombe, Darcy Finden and Suzie McAdam respectively, really made the show for us, the trio’s vocals and comedic quips made for a brilliantly whimsical performance. The energy from each character never wavered with Columbia stealing the show with her charisma and confidence in every appearance, not to mention the tap sequence in Time Warp which had the audience enthralled.

The four part ensemble were magnificent and we have to take a second to talk about the choreography. Truly jaw dropping, there was always so much going on and the chaotic energy was enthralling and made everyone want to get up and join in.

All in all everything about this show was absolutely astonishing: the actors, musicians, lighting, sound, set and not to mention the gorgeously seductive costumes and make up throughout. This show has it all and it would be a shame to miss such a vibrant and exciting show like this. So, get out your fishnet stockings; feather boas and get down to see this phenomenal performance.

The Rocky Horror Show is on at Manchester’s Opera House until Sunday 28th January tickets available here.

 Rocky Horror Show – Manchester Opera House

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Reviewed by: Matthew Forrest

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It’s 50 years since the Rocky Horror Show premiered in the West End. The cult classic is currently mid-way through a UK tour arriving in Manchester this week, for a week-long run that sees this latest production still as vibrant, outrageous and despite being in its golden years, as culturally significant as ever.

The story focuses on a typical All-American couple, Brad and Janet, newly engaged the pair, when out for a drive one evening, in the midst of a brutal storm, experience a flat tyre. In desperation they seek help from the occupants of a sinister castle belonging to Dr Frank N Furter, where he lives with his servants, Riff Raff, Magenta, and Columbia. However, things are a little odd at the good Doctor’s residence and soon the host’s hospitality and his latest experiment will test Brad and Janet’s relationship to the limit.

Richard O’ Brien’s love letter to the horror/science fiction films of the 1950’s is still as flamboyant, fun and bursting with life. All the familiar tropes are here, mad scientists, crazed aliens, and a hero couple who have bitten off way more than they can chew! O’Brien’s script takes pot shots at the genre and plays fast and loose with gender roles and expectations.

First timers coming to the show won’t know what’s hit them! The show has a huge cult following, again evident tonight with several audience members dressed as their favourite characters (I’d be interested to see the sales figures for French maid costumes, when the show is out on tour). They bring so much more than just dressing up, becoming a character themselves anticipating the script’s next line bringing a touch of unpredictability to proceedings. The part of the Narrator this evening was expertly played by Reece Budin who handled tonight’s outbursts fantastically well, leading to numerous gags about the current Conservative government and the production of The Lion King showing down the road at the Palace, which again keeps the performance fresh and dangerous.

It highlights the hard work that has gone on during rehearsal, when the cast look like they’re having so much fun, which is evident from tonight’s performance. Richard Meek and Hayley Flaherty are in superb form as the awkward, virginal, yet far from innocent couple Brad and Janet.

Stephen Webb is exceptional as the iconic Dr Frank N Furter, it’s a performance packed full of charisma with a huge spoonful of menace, he more than delivers.

They are solidly supported by Kristian Lavercombe, Suzie McAdam, and Darcy Finden. Lavercombe has now appeared in more performances of the show then any other actor, and it shows as he plays the sleazy butler Riff-Raff, to perfection. Whilst McAdam pulls double duty as Magenta and bookends the show as the Usherette, performing a fantastic rendition of Science Fiction/Double Feature. The two of them do a fantastic duet, on the unmistakable Time Warp, leading to all the audience up dancing way before we’d even got to the interval. Finden puts in a feisty, energetic turn as the unpredictable Columbia.

The show does have its flaws, the final act is considerably weaker than what precedes it. In addition I found the lyrics difficult to hear in the ensemble number, Rose Tint My World which does frustrate.

It’s a mark of a great show, that even after all these years, it can still shock, entertain and remain relevant and Rocky Horror Show certainly manages this and so, so much. Absurd, timeless and well worth a watch. Go see for yourself, and give in to Pleasure!

Rocky Horror Show is at the Manchester Opera House until 25/02/23

Tickets available at: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-rocky-horror-show/opera-house-manchester/

The Rocky Horror Show

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Reviewed by Jodie Crawford

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

There ain’t no party like a Rocky Horror Show party!

What an absolute feast for the senses this is. The cast, the music, the gags, the costumes, the lighting design, the choreography, the audience……everything was just as it should be – absolutely thrilling!

There is no other show in this world that grabs the audience and takes them on an journey of absolute wackiness and wild escapism like this ones does. 

The plot (loosely) centres around young, introverted couple – Brad, played by the truly delightful Ore Oduba, and Janet, played by the divine Haley Flagerty, who on their way home from a wedding become engaged just moments before their car breaks down. With no help to speak of, the couple take refuge in a nearby castle, where mayhem and sexual adventure awaits them.

The couple are greeted by Riff Raff (Kristian Lavercombe) who welcomes them in his own menacing manner and introduces them to the wild world of Frank N Furter (Stephen Webb) .

Frank is determined to sexually liberate these two young, naive souls on this special night, as he reveals his newest creation “Rocky” and boy does he liberate them indeed.

Lavercombe and Webb show us that it doesn’t matter how much time has passed since this show debuted (nearly 50 years!) or how many people have played these roles, it is possible for these characters to still be as mesmerising and engaging as they have ever been. Webb is simply outstanding – everything about his performance is sensational. He oozes confidence and swagger, and the audience are eating out of his hands from the moment he begins “Sweet Transvestite”. Even during the curtain call you can feel the audience willing him to sing us just one more number.

The audience participation in this show is something that has grown over time and the actors expect it and rise to the bait. Narrator, Philip Franks, is ready and waiting for the heckles and is hilarious in his quick comebacks and gags: the audience love him for it.

It’s obvious that many of the audience have been to the show plenty of times (and they certainly dressed for the occasion) but it’s not just for the veterans. It’s an experience for all adult theatre goers, who have a sense of adventure and aren’t easily offended. Not many shows have the entire audience up on it’s feet within the first fifteen minutes. Who doesn’t want to do the Timewarp on foggy Monday night in Manchester ?

There is, quite FRANKly, no other show in the world quite like this one.

The Rocky Horror Show is on at Manchester’s Palace Theatre until Saturday 22nd January tickets available here.

The Rocky Horror Show

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Reviewed by Nicky Jones

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Manchester’s Opera House re-opening week has been filled with glitz, glamour and fabulous fancy dress – the raucous Rocky Horror Show is back in town on Manchester Pride week!

As we headed into the venue surrounded by fishnet stockings, French maid’s outfits and copious amounts of sparkle, it was certain we were in for an incredible night of entertainment.

Rapidly heading towards its 50th anniversary, cult phenomenon The Rocky Horror Show is still as popular as ever. Even before the show began the audience erupted in cheers and applause, as the best-dressed audience member stole the limelight – entering the auditorium in his very own fabulous Frank-N-Furter costume.

The show begins with high energy from the audience, as the opening number Science Fiction/Double Feature proved a big hit. The story begins with Janet (Hayley Flaherty) and Brad (Ore Oduba)’s day not really going as planned, as the prim and proper couple break down in their car and attempt to seek help at the creepy castle two miles down the road. Considering all they wanted to do was borrow a phone, the pair get a lot more than they bargained for.

The show really kicks in once we meet Frank-N-Furter (Stephen Webb) and the full ensemble – everybody was up dancing and singing along within the first 30 minutes of the show. There was no waiting for the inevitable Time Warp curtain call here! The audience also built up a gorgeous atmosphere during Brad and Janet’s A Light Over at the Frankenstein Place, taking out their phone torches and glow sticks out for the number.

A stand-out performance comes from Narrator – Philip Franks. His quick wit, cheeky jokes and comedic timing had the audience shouting out heckles from his first line, and his jokes rely on an equally quick-witted loyal audience playing along with him. He did not get caught out once, and he gave it back as quick as he got it!

The Time Warp arrived in the show much earlier than I expected, and it had the whole auditorium up and dancing. Frank-N-Furter’s entrance was another stand out moment, with Sweet Transvestite being lapped up by the audience. It was raunchy, sassy and vocally powerful.

The creative team have done a superb job to create such a visually stunning show, from the set to the costumes. The set transitions beautifully from rainy windswept roads to the castle interior, and each one sets the scene perfectly. The costumes have a modern twist, but keep a close match to the character’s classic outfits from the original 1975 film. All of the costumes are clearly well loved throughout the show’s loyal fanbase, with some remarkable fancy dress being showcased within the auditorium and all over the cities bars following the show, I’m sure.

This show is a guaranteed party which features many timeless classics, including the show-stopping Time Warp. Catch The Rocky Horror Show in Manchester until Sunday 29th August – it’s the perfect way to start your Pride weekend! Tickets available here: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-rocky-horror-show/opera-house-manchester/

Rocky Horror

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rocky h

Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Walking through Spinningfields surrounded by swathes of burly blokes in stockings and suspenders on a foggy January night can mean only one thing…Rocky Horror is back in town!

An incredible 46 years since it first opened, Richard O’Brien’s cult classic shows no sign of age as this fresh and feisty production bursts into vibrant life. There’s an electricity in the air as from the minute the lights go down as usherette Laura Harrison introduces the show in unique Ricky Horror style.

After running into a spot of car trouble conservative kids Brad (Ben Adams) and Janet (Joanne Clifton) end up seeking help at a creepy castle in the middle of nowhere. This is where the fun well and truly begins as the virginal duo meet Frank N Furter and his debauched servants for a night they’ll never forget.

rocky horror

Guiding us through the mayhem is Corrie’s Beverley Callard in the role of Narrator; she gives as good as she gets with the notoriously sharp audience heckling and the love Manchester has for her is wonderful to see.

Ben Adams and Joanne Clifton as Brad and Janet are superbly cast. The duo who recently starred in Flashdance together and only this week announced they’ve written their own musical really are a match made in musical heaven. Their chemistry is electric as they change from innocent stiffs to naughty nymphs; with strong acting skills and great comedic timing not to mention powerful voices, their transformation will thrill the most diehard of Rocky Horror fans.

rocky h 2

Stephen Webb whips the audience into a frenzy with his fabulously flamboyant Frank N Furter, the antici………pation for his entrance brings squeals of delight as he struts round the stage with ultimate sass. Special mention must also go to Kristian Lavercome, as Rif Raf, Laura Harrison as Magenta, Miracle Chance as Columbia, Callum Evans as Rocky and Ross Chisari as Eddie/Dr Scott each shine in their roles bringing this production to the next level and complementing the leads perfectly.

Set designer Hugh Durrant wraps the stage in a giant celluloid movie reel which is lit to perfection by Nick Richings dynamic lighting while Nathan M Wright’s choreography feels fresh and inspired.

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The songs are catchy and some of the biggest ear worms you’ll ever hear while the story is so brilliantly bonkers you’ll be kept entertained from start to finish. With a superb cast and a chance to leap up mid-way through Act I and do The Time Warp you really can’t go wrong.

Frivolous, flirty and a whole lot of fun! Catch Rocky Horror show at the Opera House until Saturday 26th January tickets available here.