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<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nWhen the ever so innocent Brad and Jen, who are recently engaged, break down in the middle of
nowhere on a stormy night, they visit a nearby castle to ask for help. They get far more than they bargain for when they stumble upon a party being held by Dr. Frank N Furter and his bizarre
entourage. It has been described as a story of creation, love, hate, adventure, and most of all, sex. The UK tour lives up to all of these things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The diehard fans have taken up their positions in the front rows, in full outfits and ready to heckle
our Narrator, Philip Franks. If you\u2019ve never been to see the Rocky Horror Show it\u2019s worth going just for that. There are some fabulously entertaining talk-back lines from the audience, that Philip Franks handled magnificently. If you don\u2019t want to feel left out, you can find a \u2018virgin\u2019s guide\u2019 on the tour\u2019s website to help you navigate the show\u2019s rather distinctive \u2018etiquette\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Philip Franks fits the role of Narrator perfectly. Apart from his melodic voice, he banters with the
audience with witty rapport, cracking relevant and timely jokes throughout including: referencing Suella Braverman when an audience member yelled \u2018heil!\u2019, \u2018chlamydia is not just for Christmas\u2019 and mentioning a poem he\u2019s written called Brothers which starts \u2018Harry said\u2019. WARNING: this is not for the faint-hearted or easily offended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The absolute star of the show is Dr. Frank N Furter, played in this production by Stephen Webb. What a voice that man has, and the swagger to match it. The audience roared when he made his entrance singing \u2018Sweet Transvestite\u2019, and again when he made his final exit. He quite literally strutted his stuff with phenomenal stage presence, made hysterical facial expressions and altogether stole the show.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThis was a cast of strong and distinct voices; it is hard to single out individuals as every single
member gave it their all. Kristian Lavercombe as Riff Raff and Suzie McAdam as Magenta led a
rousing rendition of \u2018Time Warp\u2019 that had many on their feet. Kristian Lavercombe has expertly
mastered Riff Raff\u2019s signature cackle and the right moments to produce it. This evening we had understudy Reece Budin standing in for Richard Meek as Brad, but he gave such a solid performance you would never have known he hasn\u2019t been playing the role on a nightly basis.
Haley Flaherty portrays a convincingly meek and and mild Janet, until she sings \u2018Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me\u2019 and suddenly takes charge of both Rocky and the stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The costumes were everything you would expect from Rocky Horror; suspenders, corsets and
fishnets everywhere. Hugh Durrant deserves a mention for some truly creative set design to depict Brad and Janet\u2019s car, the castle, and the extravagant rooms and laboratory inside. The band, directed by Charlie Ingles, also earned a shout out for bringing the rock n roll Rocky Horror is famous for to life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We had a couple of minor technical issues \u2013 a broken mic for Dr. Scott and a brief moment when the curtain had to be pulled to resolve a problem on stage, but these were opening night teething issues and the cast handled them like the professionals they are. But as a whole it was a thoroughly enjoyable, hilarious night out and I can only imagine the best is yet to come with the weekend shows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rocky Horror Show is at the Orchard theatre in Dartford until Saturday 14 January and tickets
can be bought here<\/a>. They also have a terrific offer running until Thursday where you can get price band B tickets (usually \u00a339) for \u00a320 using the promo code ROCKY20<\/strong>, so grab them while you can! For tour dates in other locations visit here<\/a>.<\/p>\n