The Rocky Horror Show (UK Tour) – Review

The Rocky Horror Show (UK Tour): Churchill Theatre, Bromley

11th April 2022

Richard O’Brien’s legendary cult rock ‘n’ roll musical, The Rocky Horror Show, returns as part of a sell-out worldwide tour to the Churchill Theatre, Bromley. Full of fun and naughty moments, The Rocky Horror Show features timeless classics including of course the show stopping ‘Time Warp‘. The show follows two squeaky clean college kids – Brad and Janet. However, when their car breaks down outside a spooky mansion they meet the charismatic Dr Frank’n’Furter. Thrust on an adventure they will never forget filled with ‘fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity.’

Philip Franks excels as the Narrator, not flinching once during the audience well meaning heckling and banter. His witty one liners and come backs make the show, particularly his hilarious comments about the government, especially Boris Johnson, which go down fantastically with the audience. Stephen Webb has full command of the stage as Frank’n’Furter, particularly in the hit ‘Sweet Transvestite’. Ore Oduba proves that he is much more than just a Strictly Come Dancing winner and Haley Flaherty is excellent as Janet.

The Rocky Horror Show is not a show for children, or perhaps those with a sensitive disposition. It is brash, rude and unapologetic. Mixing sci-fi and comedy with the world of gender fluidity and sex and rock’n’roll is an odd mix but from the audience’s applause it seems to have worked. The fantastical and slightly bizarre storyline is complex and confusing at times but at least it is not predictable.

Costumes by Sue Blane are exactly as you would expect and the set designed by Hugh Darrent works well with quick transitions between scenes allowing no time to be lost. Lighting by Nick Richings brings it altogether to create a bright extravaganza.

For any newcomers (or ‘virgins’ as they are known) to the show, the audience participation including interrupting the show by interjecting and shouting out smut and innuendo at various parts of the script is certainly unusual and at times does feel slightly like a pantomime but it all adds to the humour and comedy of the night. It is clear that The Rocky Horror Show thrives on its cult status and fans who turn up night after night dressed as their favourite character ready to sit back and be entertained. However, it is also evident that The Rocky Horror Show is no longer as outrageous or ‘out there’ as it would have been when first released almost 50 years ago. For that reason, some of the content falls slightly flat for younger audience members.

If you are a fan of the film or stage show then you cannot go wrong with this most recent touring version. Sexy, bizarre and funny, The Rocky Horror Show continues to entertain audiences so perhaps it’s time to take a jump to the left, then a step to the right and join them.

The Rocky Horror Show is playing at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley until the 16th April. For tickets click here. For more information about the remaining UK tour dates click here.

Photo Credit: Dave Freeman