The Time Warp

The Rocky Horror Show

Leave a comment

Reviewed by Matt Forrest

Opening Night verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Few things in life are truly guaranteed, but there are a handful we can always rely on: night follows day, Christmas adverts appear earlier with every passing year, and somewhere in the world, The Rocky Horror Show will undoubtedly be delighting audiences. Even more certain is that Richard O’Brien’s cult classic will remain as outrageously entertaining, provocatively cheeky and joyfully anarchic as ever.

Having been on the road since last year, the current touring production makes its final stop in Manchester this week, arriving with every ounce of the energy, mischief and flamboyance that has made the show such an enduring favourite. The story follows the familiar B-movie formula as newly engaged couple Brad (James Bisp) and Janet (Haley Flaherty) are left stranded by a flat tyre before seeking refuge at the mysterious home of Dr Frank N. Furter (Stephen Webb) and his eccentric entourage of Riff Raff (Ryan Carter-Wilson), Magenta, (Laura Bird) and Columbia (Daisy Steere).

The couple arrive just as the unhinged Doctor is preparing to bring his latest creation to life: the perfectly sculpted Rocky (Morgan Jackson). Their unexpected visit soon pulls them into a bizarre, seductive world where temptation lurks around every corner, testing both their relationship and their grip on reality.

Stephen Webb is fantastic as Frank N. Furter, embracing the iconic role with fearless confidence. His performance is gloriously over the top, brimming with charisma, wicked humour and just the right amount of unpredictable menace. His rendition of “Sweet Transvestite” is an undoubted highlight, whilst his version of “I’m Going Home”, adds some emotional weight to proceedings.

James Bisp and Haley Flaherty deliver engaging performances as Brad and Janet, convincingly charting the couple’s transformation from wide-eyed innocence to willing participants in Frank’s wonderfully chaotic world. Their chemistry is excellent, their comic timing is sharp, and both impress with powerful vocals throughout.

Comedian Nathan Caton is a solid choice as the Narrator, delivering the role with confidence and assured comic timing. He handles the audience’s familiar call-backs with ease, keeping the exchanges suitably risqué and entertaining. Rocky Horror Show is one of those rare productions where audience participation is part of the experience, adding to the lively, anarchic atmosphere without ever overwhelming the performance itself.

They’re well supported by a strong ensemble. Ryan Carter-Wilson brings an appropriately sinister presence to Riff Raff, while Laura Bird impresses in the dual roles of Magenta and the Usherette, opening the show with a restrained rendition of “Science Fiction/Double Feature”. Daisy Steere brings plenty of energy and eccentricity to Columbia, complemented by powerful vocals, while Morgan Jackson is an imposing presence as the chiselled Rocky, combining impressive physicality with athletic backflips.

The Rocky Horror Show is packed with songs that have become classics in their own right. From the aforementioned “Science Fiction/Double Feature” and the swaggering “Sweet Transvestite” to the delightfully cheeky “Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me”. It is of course  “The Time Warp”, which never fails to lift the atmosphere and remains one of the production’s undeniable highlights.

The final act has always felt a little less cohesive to me, with the narrative losing some of its momentum. However, the strength of the performances and the quality of the songs ensure that it’s a minor quibble rather than a significant flaw, and it never diminishes the overall enjoyment of the show.

With the tour drawing to a close, now is the perfect time to dust off the green scrubs, fishnets, basque, gold hot pants or French maid outfit and experience The Rocky Horror Show one more time. More than 50 years after its debut, it remains a gloriously anarchic, unapologetically camp night at the theatre that knows exactly what it is.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is at the Palace Theatre until Saturday 1st August, tickets are available here.

Rocky Horror

Leave a comment

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.

img_5537

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.

 

Interview | Joanne Clifton talks Rocky Horror

3 Comments

rocky horror

Professional dancer, singer and actress Joanne Clifton is quickly gaining a strong reputation as one of the most versatile performers in the business as she continues to win rave reviews for her musical theatre performances. After appearing in Manchester recently as both Milly in Thoroughly Modern Millie and Alex in the iconic Flashdance, she’s now back to do The Time Warp at Manchester’s Opera House alongside her Flashdance co-star Ben Adams in The Rocky Horror Picture Show which opens tonight in the city.

We caught up with Joanne ahead of opening night to hear a little more.

Welcome back to Manchester Joanne, what a fun show to return with!

Absolutely, I am having so much fun it’s the craziest show to work on and I’m so excited to be back in Manchester, I can’t wait to perform and get back to my favourite places like Albert Schloss and Australasia too. I have really come to love Manchester, when I was doing Strictly with Ore I was training up here in Manchester and came to really love the city and he showed me so many amazing places. Plus working on this show is just so much fun, I really didn’t know much about it at all before I auditioned and I’ve come to love it so much.

rocky h 2

I guess you danced The Time Warp many times in your dance career, how does it feel performing it on stage in such an iconic show?

It’s brilliant, we get such a buzz from the audience too, I’ve probably been performing the Timewarp every Halloween since I was a little girl without every really knowing what it was so to perform it on stage with this incredible company is just wonderful. It’s such a loved show.

It certainly is a show which has cult following, how has that experience been for you?

In rehearsals our director Christopher Luscombe had told us to expect shouting out and gave examples of what we can expect at the usual parts where people shout out which we all found so funny but then when you are out of the rehearsal room and have a theatre full of people shouting out different things at unexpected times it’s something else. That’s what really makes this show so special, its fan base is amazing. Just looking out to the audience and seeing all the effort people have made and the different costumes they’re wearing, seeing different people dressed as your character and so many others is brilliant. I’ve noticed after seeing people being so daring with their costumes I’ve started getting a bit more daring with my clothes for press nights and things.

rocky h

Do you think the fact people can be adventurous and a bit more daring is part of the shows timeless appeal?

Yes, I think the message of just being who you want to be really is what we all want, what we’re all striving for and that message really speaks to people.

How is it working with Ben Adams again?

It’s great, we’re best mates so I knew we’d have loads of fun, we had a great time doing Flashdance and now this, it’s almost like we come as a package. We recorded a song from Flashdance which did really well and now we’ve recorded Damn It, Janet from Rocky Horror which is available on Spotify and Itunes, we’re also writing a musical together which we’re really excited about.

Your brother Kevin is about to star in Rock of Ages which we had in Manchester recently have you offered him any advice?

Not really advice as such but Kevin decided he wanted to try musical theatre after seeing how happy starring in shows has made me, we’ve both been performers from such a young age and we love doing that. Kevin had his first rehearsal this week and he couldn’t wait to ring me and tell me how much he loved it. It’s something that makes me so happy and seeing that convinced him to give it a try too.

Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show tours the UK until 2nd November 2019. For tickets and venues visit http://www.rockyhorror.co.uk