"It's astounding. Time is fleeting. Madness takes its toll..."
The longest continuous run of a contemporary musical anywhere in the world, The Rocky Horror Show rocked and rolled back into the Edinburgh Playhouse this week.
This year Richard O’Brien’s cult musical celebrates 50 years of saucy, sassy fun, with audiences (mostly) knowing what they’ve let themselves in for…a wild night out.
The Rocky Horror Show needs very little introduction but follows Brad and Janet, a squeaky-clean newly-engaged American couple of the 1950s who stumbled upon the castle and drawn into the strange and sensual world of mad scientist Dr Frank-N-Furter, a cross-dressing Translyvanian, on the evening he brings his Frankenstein-esque playmate, Rocky, to life. What follows is a bizarre combination of sex, rock ‘n’ roll, and hilarity.
Filling the iconic role of Frank-N-Furter complete with fishnets and high heels is the formidable Stephen Webb with his bold brassy vocals and sinister sex appeal. Despite his commanding presence and brilliant physicality, he doesn’t eclipse his fellow cast members. Richard Meek and Haley Flaherty perfectly embody the innocent but easily corrupted Brad and (Dammit) Janet showcasing their impressive voices. Suzie McAdams is spellbinding as the marvellous Magenta and sexy Usherette. Darcy Finden is superbly crazy as Columbia, and Kristian Lavercombe is an unquestionable standout as Riff Raff. His mannerisms are captivating. Carrying the show forward in the role of narrator was the quick-witted and debonaire Philip Franks with his improvised quips to tame the heckling audience.
The set design is simple and functional, the immersive lighting floods the stage in vibrant colours, and the costumes are famously flamboyant.
But what makes The Rocky Horror Show a real raucous party? It’s the hitlist of iconic tracks from ‘Science Fiction/Double Feature’, the brilliant ‘Sweet Transvestite’, and the ultimate party anthem ‘The Time Warp’.
The Rocky Horror Show is essentially an adult panto, one that will have the whole audience partici…pating in.
So, grab your glitter hat, leave your inhibitions in the foyer, and let’s do the time warp again!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎫 Media Invite
📸 Production Images by The Rocky Horror Show
🎥 Reel by Jenna's Jamboree
EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE
Firmly established in the cultural landscape of Edinburgh and Scotland, the Edinburgh Playhouse, owned by Ambassador Theatre Group, is the UK’s largest all seated theatre and plays host to some of the biggest names in live music, comedy and musical theatre.
Read more about Edinburgh Playhouse here.