The Rocky Horror Show at Theatre Royal Sydney
The Rocky Horror Show continues its 50th anniversary celebrations with an encore season at the Theatre Royal Sydney. Jason Donovan returns as Frank N Furter one last time, alongside narrator Dylan Alcott.
The Rocky Horror Show, celebrating it's 50th anniversary, returns to Sydney by popular demand for a final encore season at the Theatre Royal. This will cap off its successful anniversary tour that has already seen the production play over 300 shows across Australia.
The weird and wonderful writing of Richard O'Brien has led to the creation of one of the longest running musicals in the world. The show was also adapted into a motion picture titled The Rocky Horror Picture Show in 1975, which was a box office flop on initial release. Word of mouth and the growing cult following of the movie has since made it become one of the longest running films in cinema history due to continuous re-releases.
To the uninitiated, The Rocky Horror Show is a mix of 1940s and 50s B-grade horror and science fiction, melded with risqué comedy and a dash of British glam rock. It tells the tale of conservative couple Brad and Janet as they are unsuspectingly thrust into the strange world of a cross dressing mad scientist, who just so happens to be fond of testing the boundaries of his guests with promiscuous activities.
The show's provocative costumes, quick wit and innuendo have seen it become a showpiece for promiscuous expression and sexual liberation. Not only that, but the show also encourages a high level of audience participation, including heckling at appropriate moments for the duration for the show. This becomes incredibly entertaining if groups of audience members have seen the show many times, knowing the right thing to heckle at any particular moment, creating hilarious interaction with the cast members and The Narrator. Featuring hit songs including "Time Warp", "Sweet Transvestite" and "I Can Make You a Man", the whole experience is likely to be one of the most entertaining nights you'll have all year.
Starring in the lead role of the peculiar Frank N Furter is the legendary Jason Donovan. He is magic in the role, taking elements from Tim Curry's original regal performance and mixing it with vibrant charisma and impeccable comedic timing. In what is meant to be Donavan's last tour in the role, he makes the musical a must see event.
Highlights in the witty production also include the wonderful vocal talents of Blake Bowden in the role of Brad, who also happens to be the alternate Frank N Furter. Dylan Alcott also offers a humourous take on The Narrator featuring lots of quick wit and intelligent repartee.
Stellar Perry's casting is also notable, giving a fabulous performance in the role of Magenta and the Usherette. This is especially evident in the moments where she gets to display the full range of her vocal power. Henry Rollo is also fantastic in the role of Riff Raff as he embodies the creepy persona originally made famous by Richard O'Brien himself.
Overall, the Sydney creative team have assembled an incredible cast. The production value is only increased by the funky live band hidden in the rafters of the Rocky Horror stage, accentuated by the kaleidoscope of provocative costumes and colourful staging. While the second act of the show isn't quite as great as the first, the whole experience in spite of its incredible weirdness is highly amusing and eye opening. Perhaps Rocky Horror's greatest strength is seeing it with a passionate live audience of true enthusiasts, who create an atmosphere unlike any other show. It's an intimate night that you won't forget anytime soon. The Rocky Horror Show is an absolute must watch!
The Rocky Horror Show is playing at Theatre Royal Sydney until 12 May.
