THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW To 30 June.
London/Tour.
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
book and music by Richard O'Brien.
Comedy Theatre To 27 January.
Mon - Thu 8pm, Fri - Sat 9pm Mat: Fr, - Sat 6pm then Tour to 30 June 2007.
Runs 2hr 10 mins One interval.
TICKETS: 0870 060 6637.
www.theambassadors.com
Review: Geoff Ambler 4 January.
A wild and an untamed thing, Bedella with a deadly sting…
This latest revival of the classic cult musical/film by Christopher Luscombe manages to both look and feel different to any of its previous theatrical incarnations, while still managing to keep faithfully to Richard O’Brien’s original production. More gothic if that is possible, more humour, more fun and a whole lot louder.
The story should need no explanation, however if anyone is unsure there is always a guest to assist with the narrative flow. This performance was narrated by Brian Capron who, while his voice at times lacked the dramatic gravitas the part normally benefits from, had a repartee in response to the requisite scripted audience participation pieces, that seemed naturally self-effacing and unforced.
Brad is played by Matthew Cole and Janet by Sarah Boulton, who while covering on the press night for an absent Suzanne Shaw delivered a performance worthy of any leading lady, filled with shocked naivety, progressing to vampish lust and always an exceptional singing voice. Matthew Cole’s Brad seems less developed but is still thoroughly entertaining as he handles Brad's journey into his hedonistic decadence.
David Bedella’s Frank 'N' Furter is the shock of the night. Appearing in 'Sweet Transvestite' all lips and fishnets and high heels, he hits the stage with devilish delight, accompanied by a very loud orchestra and a collection of ghouls. He grabs the audience and doesn’t let go for the rest of the show. A great Frankie is the crux of Rocky Horror; without an exceptional over-performing performer it is just another cult show. It's when Bedella is fully under the skin and makeup of this magnificent character, displaying an abundance of excesses, that the show becomes the wild and untamed thing it should be.
Audience participation could be the cross this show has to bear, with scripted responses to key lines issuing from all over the theatre all through the show. However the audiences “lines” add to the laughs and the performers join in, building on the satire.
Julian Essex-Spurrier’s Rocky certainly meets the slickly buff requirements the part entails, and the trio of Claire Parrish, Kay Murphy and Iain Davey as Magenta, Columbia and Riff-Raff all add their own talents, whether it is louche apathy or subservient exuberance. They are wonderfully utilised with the creative and refreshingly inspired direction and design.
This show is truly an ebullient, guilty pleasure. It may be entering the realms of classic but this new production is well worth catching, either at the Comedy Theatre or on its tour around the UK through 2007.
Janet: Sarah Boulton.
Brad: Matthew Cole.
Narrator: Brian Capron, Steve Pemberton (8-20 Jan), Danny Baker (22-27 Jan).
Riff-Raff: Iain Davey.
Magenta / Usherette: Claire Parrish.
Columbia: Kay Murphy.
Frank “N” Furter: David Bedella.
Rocky: Julian Essex-Spurrier.
Eddie / Dr Scott: Nathan Amz.i
Phantoms: Erin Carter/Stuart Ellis/Lynden O’Neill.
Director: Christopher Luscombe.
Designer: Janet Bird.
Lighting: Nick Richings.
Sound: Rick Clarke.
Musical Arrangements: Richard Hartley.
Musical Director: Simon Beck.
Choreographer: Jenny Arnold.
Costume: Sue Blane.
2007-01-08 00:54:17