Madness indeed takes its toll as Richard O’Brien’s fantasy musical creation Rocky Horror Show brings spooky rock ‘n’ roll into Glasgow this week featuring Strictly Come Dancing professional Joanne Clifton as Janet and former Blue heart-throb and Hollyoaks actor Duncan James as the eccentric Dr Frank N Furter.
The show has always had a dedicated cult following with its popularity never waning over the last four decades. In fact it has been performed worldwide in over 30 countries and translated into more than 20 languages.
The devoted audience features an eclectic collection of wacky costumes inspired by their favourite Rocky Horror Show characters as they wait for the show to begin.
The excited atmosphere – despite a wet and dreary opening Monday night – were evident as the enthusiastic crowds lapped up every second of the rollercoaster ride through the musical, mouthing the words to the tracks and interacting with the characters to much hilarity both on and off the stage.
The magical science fiction phenomenon features an innocent and sickly sweet couple, Brad (James Darch) and Janet. After a car breakdown leaves them stranded on a rainy night outside an old eerie castle, they take shelter and meet the transvestite scientist Dr Frank n Furter.
Things continue to get weirder after Dr Frank n Furter brings his own human creation “Rocky” to life and what continues to unfold is a series of bizarre and utterly outrageous shenanigans that change Brad and Janet’s life forever. Featuring cult classic songs such as Sweet Transvestite, Damn it Janet and of course The Time Warp, the soundtrack is almost as famous as the show itself.
The plot may seem a tad over-the-top unless you are a diehard fan. However the palpable atmosphere, electrifying soundtrack and crowd interaction as they excitedly shout out the innuendos and lines that made the show famous, ensure the entire theatre is whipped into a Rocky frenzy.
Speaking about the success of the show, creator Richard O’Brien describes it as an “alternative pantomime.” He comments “I remember when we were doing the movie our producer asked me: what are the most famous films to come out of Great Britain? And the answer was: Carry On and Hammer House of Horror. And Rocky is a bit of a combination of both of those genres.”
James steals the show as the fabulous Frank n Furter – storming onto the stage to screams from the audience, ensuring his naughty, sassy and dominating character had the audience hooked on his every move. His impressive choreography, characterisation and vocals prove he is more than just a former boyband hunk and is indeed carving out a very reputable career within the musical theatre world.
Another highlight of the show was the incredibly camp and thoroughly entertaining Narrator (Philip Franks) who had the audience chuckling with delight at his crowd interaction and off script ad-libs.
Wild, fun and adult only – Rocky Horror Show takes you on a crazy journey but it’s one hell of an enjoyable ride.
Limited tickets still available at the King’s until Saturday 17th August.