Maybe I'm just a sap, but I was feeling the love this time round.
It was a two show day, I love RH, so in true fangirl style I had booked for both and after many months of waiting had five hours at the castle.
The set is the same as I remember from its last time here. The costumes too, although Frank came out in the floorshow looking like he should be put on top of a Christmas tree in a festive red number. You don't change what isn't broken, and the creative team have a colourful array of designs that bring the whole piece together.
Steven Punt guides us through as the Narrator. Famous comedian but I didn't really know who he was. The man is ready for your call backs. As the evening crowd got rowdier and shouted more obscene things he pulled out the quick jokes and got the bigger laughs. There's a few different narrators this time round. You can see Steve until the 22nd October.
Hayley Flaherty is the current Janet Weiss. You can catch her in the role up to the 26th November. Previously she's been a fan favourite as the kind teacher Miss Honey in Tim Minchin's Matilda. Now she just can't wait to get out of her reserved pink dress and into Frank's dressing up box. It's hard to say with such a fantastic cast who has the best voice, and whilst you can't really choose between them I'm going ahead and saying it's this lady. As well as that she brings a fun and cheeky Janet to the stage.
Richard Meek is husband Brad Majors (asshole)! A character that has never been my favourite when compared with everyone else, but Meek and Majors won new fans tonight. Flaherty and Meek play so well off their Frank.
S Club 7 were my favourite group as a kid so it was an extra treat to have Paul Cattermole in the doubled up role of Eddie and Dr. Scott. He looks like he's having so much fun and brings a really great energy.
Dominic Anderson is everything I love in a Rocky, topped off with a nice pair of animal print pants and some body glitter. He comes out innocent as a lamb, steals the scene and in the time that follows fits in a whole bunch of character development (Yes, it's there. There's more than just lovely actors in corsets). He reaches for Frank at the end and you have to be sad. And he can sing. They all sing, you are seeing some of the best singers when you see this show.
Kristian Lavercombe is back as Riff Raff. At this point he's played the role over a thousand times and is going to go down in Rocky Horror history as one of the best. His love for the role shines through in every performance and he is a joy to see.
Kay Murphy is his sister, Magenta (and the beloved Usherette who opens and closes the show). She made me laugh the most, and you could only hope she'd follow in Lavercombe's footsteps as subsequent Magenta's now have a lot to live up to.
Hannah Malekzad steps out as my personal favourite character, Columbia. Little Nell played her with such verve it's always a hard act to follow but Malekzad does her justice and makes her her own. She's an understudy which is as good as being a leading lady.
Liam Tamne is Frank n Furter this time round. He's been in lots of west end shows and did well on The Voice. Vocal performance wise you already know you're in safe hands. But, after his first outing as the sweet transvestite I was a little unsure. He has so many quirks with someone else it might have become too much. Then act two starts and it all comes together, there's a lot of tenderness in the role and by the end of the night I'd grown very fond of this new Frank.
No Rocky Horror show is complete without the Phantoms (no, not of the Opera). Dressed in black they come out to play in every scene and are well worth diverting your gaze from the main action to watch. There is always so much character interaction going on in the background it's impossible to see it all in one show.
If you're a Rocky fan you'll love it any time of day, but the matinee is slightly quieter so if you want a better chance of an uninterrupted floorshow (the songs are beautiful and call backs there on are generally discouraged and will be met by a chorus of audience shushes). At night, especially a Friday night, it is one giant party and a great initiation for the Rocky virgin. Whenever, wherever, Rocky Horror is always going to give you a good time.
