My friend and I have been fans of Rocky Horror since the 1990s, so we were delighted to revisit the show last night. And we were not disappointed! My friend’s view of the show is that it’s the most fun you can have at the theatre while wearing somebody else’s clothes!

Rocky Horror premiered almost half a century ago, in 1973. The movie of the nearly same name - The Rocky Horror Picture Show - was released two years later. The young people who enjoyed the production in its early days are likely to be grandparents now. Maybe their children and grandchildren have followed their lead and enjoy the show too. If this is the case, then Rocky Horror can legitimately be called a family show! But for Rocky Horror ‘virgins’ - those who are seeing it for the very first time - be warned: It is definitely not an appropriate theatrical experience for children or anyone who is not broadminded, although it may well have appeal for younger generations for whom gender fluidity is now more commonplace in society. 

Making shameless fun of the 1950s sci-fi horror movie genre, it is brash, raunchy, rude and sexy, with a bizarre and unpredictable storyline.

The action starts with two squeaky-clean virgin college kids - Brad (Richard Meek) and his fiancé, Janet (Haley Flaherty) - whose car breaks down outside a creepy castle, which they subsequently visit in the hope of finding a telephone. Once inside, they meet the charismatic transsexual Transylvanian, Dr Frank ’N’ Furter (Stephen Webb), along with his servants, Rif-Raff (Kristian Lavercombe), Magenta (Jess Sole, understudying for Suzie McAdam) and Columbia (Darcy Finden). In no time at all, Brad and Janet find themselves embarking on an adventure they’ll never forget, and are definitely no longer sexually repressed earthlings by the end of the show!

Audience participation at Rocky Horror is actively encouraged. The narrator (Jackie Clune) bears the brunt of this and is more than capable of holding her own against a quick-witted audience and their lighthearted heckles. Her improvised responses, breaking the fourth wall, are hilarious! Indeed, the whole cast boasts strong comic timing, not to mention an amazing exuberance, fantastic energy and stunning vocals.
Song-wise, the show features numerous cult classics, including Sweet Transvestite, Damn It Janet, and of course, the pelvic-thrusting Time Warp. It is a truly surreal experience to dance to the latter, with every audience member on their feet - many of whom (even on a damp and chilly Monday evening in late November) were scantily clad for the occasion in fishnet stockings, basks, suspenders, and, in several cases, little else!

I would absolutely recommend you catch the ‘late night, double feature, picture show’ during its run in Malvern. Do be brave and dress up. If basks and stockings aren’t your thing, go as one of the characters instead - it will really help you to engage with the whole Rocky Horror experience.

Four stars

Reviewed by Sue Hull at Malvern Theatres on Monday 28 November. Richard O'Brien's Rocky Horror Show continues at the venue until Saturday 3 December.