Rocky Horror Show review

 After managing our way through frills, stilettos and loud and eager audience, the woman seated next to me said "This isn't for faint hearted." Even in current decade of zombies, vampires and Tory government, this 40 something old sci fci musical parody of 30s hollywood is more thrilling!!!! Hence, no surprise when now country touring Christopher Luscombe production of Richard O"Brien's path defining musical opened in Mayflower theatre, fellow Hampshireans packed the auditorium, after all men seldom get chance to rummage through their Ann Summer collection to don their fish net stocking, padded lingerie and open the wig collection. Thus among the most cross dressed straight men  of country in room and loudest make up wearing women, we were waiting in antici...........Pation!!!!

   The plot, although etched well in people's mind, is about a very virgin undersexed engaged couple who make a journey that makes them halt at a castle owned by oversexed transvestite with a zombie looking butler and hooker make up wearing maids. The night spend in the mansion changes their life and makes them lose their innocence along with virginity. Doesnt sound very appeasing, does it? And among all this there is dark humour, some sci-fi stuff and a major homage to B grade movies that packed 30s-50s theatre as part of double feature, usually horror in genre. Isnt that too much to pack in mere 100 minute musical.  And sci-fi isn't subject to  sing about nor is horror ever funny. But barely out of his puberty Ozzie O'Brien took advantage of sexual revolution of 60s-70s, and rock roll craze and whipped into this ever exciting production. The songs now at everyone's lips are a quiet collection for Ipod generation,

    Luscombe does all the justice to this legend in his production. Narrated very wittily by Richard Sparks, who encompasses the current "Embarrassing Bodies" and "Tourette" generation, very well in his witty monologue. He even manages to respond to a loud and clever group audience who throw " Jimmy Saville", "C*ck, " and W*nk" humour at him. Not only he responds affordably and quickly but also manages to include in flow of script, hence receives  an ovation by the already adrenaline soaked audience and some alcohol soaked too. Sam  Attwater and Dani Harmer play their part as all American naïve couple well, apart from Sam's singing, which he clearly tries hard but fails flat. But he is forgiven and forgotten soon as when Oliver Thornton steps on stage in his stilettos and corset, all is well. Even after dancing to "Time Warp", we have  stamina to laugh at wonderful campness of  Thornton, and his acrobatic choreography not to mention all delicious rounded but which he flaunts. Kristain as Riff raff and Ceris as Columbia rock the floor, poor Abigail as Magenta with her limited script does well and so does Joel Montague as Dr Scott and Eddie. The band by Tony Castro does justice to the orignal music.

  But the main stars of show are audience, however gin soaked or red lipstick stained, they are spirit of show that hum along the songs, make quirky remarks, jump to left on Time warp and never stoop applauding the cast for taking them to a memorable journey of sexual revolution in back drop of sci-fi and humour. The sex is more seductive than Christain in 50 shades of grey and the ripples of sexual tone are felt in audience. The groping, erection of simulated penis, massaging of breasts and thrusts and grinds don't feel perverse or an abomination, on contrary the homoerotic is beguiling to a most hetro audience. The Luscombe as succeeded to gain the core of musical:audience involvement and hasn't given Richard O'Brien a chance or reason to frown or sulk.

    Never does a hairy chest in corset or hairy leg in high-heeled Prada feel right, but only in Rocky Horror show. The pink hair, glittery coat and a tiger print speedo do fit right in the viewers. It is unknown when-have heterosexual men loved to cross dress and parade around city to enjoy a very sensual dark musical. But that was the magic knowingly or unknowingly created by O'Brien. He made Transylvania look a better settlement than earth, and made alternate lifestyle a norm. Rocky Horror show supposed to be representative of  a revolution, of cult fashion, little did Richard knew he created a cult with its followers age from 70 to 15. Prozac, laughing gas or viagra isn't needed to raise the roof in the musical, the concept just does it for people. Hence even though smiling makes the face hurt and clapping makes palm sore one doesn't stop doing either. A must watch if it opens in your town or town near you, as among best musicals seen on stage