Let’s Do the Time Warp Again! Yes, The Rocky Horror Show is back – in a blockbuster production that may not be the Rocky Horror you remember, but it will knock your socks off!
The Rocky Horror Show, conceived as a bit of juvenile theatrical fun and games back in 1973, playing in a decrepit 60-seat London theatre has evolved into an West End/Broadway extravaganza. And this is exactly what we get at Auckland’s marvellous Civic Theatre.
All the dazzling sets and props, the elaborate (but slightly raunchy) costumes, intricate choreography, a outstanding large band just shy of a full orchestra, lighting that guides your eye to the next marvel, and of course the incredible cast who inhabit their characters like a second skin. In short, this is an impeccable, practically flawless production. So much glitter!!!
For the virgins amongst us, uni students Janet (Haley Flaherty) and Brad (James Bisp) (who are saving themselves for marriage) have just got engaged. On the way home from a friend’s wedding, a storm blows up. And they get a flat tyre! Oh no! What can they do but walk a couple of miles back down the road where they’d passed a castle. Hopefully the people there will let them use their phone?
They are welcomed inside by hunched Riff-Raff (Ryan Carter-Wilson) and his cohort Magenta (Laura Byrd). There’s no phone in sight, but what they discover will blow their minds: a parade of (not unpleasant) horrors that blow everything else. Well, Eddie (Edward Bullingham) does come to a rather unpleasant end, but Rocky (Morgan Jackson) lives on…
All under the watchful eye of Frank N Furter (Stephen Webb), the Transexual Transylvanian, who bears enough of a resemblance to the original Tim Curry character when he makes his grand entrance to lull you into a sense of familiarity. But Webb is no mere impersonator – he commands the role, playing to Curry’s original and elevating it with the passion of a seasoned professional. Let’s Do the Time Warp Again!
Make no mistake – this is an awesome show in every way. As a critic, it’s tough writing about something that ticks all the boxes. You just want to gush about it. But… and here’s the BUT… it’s the Time Warp.
The play is now 53 years old. It’s had a life of its own – and wow! has it grown. But… some of us remember its humble beginnings. The sense of chaos, the entropy. Especially the audience participation – dressing up as characters, shouting replies to the cast and narrator, the rice, the confetti, water pistols… I once got hit by a flying chair! (No critics were injured in the incident.)
Yeah, there were a few folks dressed up, but certainly no flying objects in the beautiful Civic. And as proper theatre-goers, we remained seated. I couldn’t help feel like something was missing. Not with the play, something else. That time warp was getting to me. It was me, not just missing the old rough and ready Rocky Horror, but missing the old (young) me! When the curtain fell, I was left with an odd sense of wistfulness.
Then the sold out theatre was on it’s feet and we were treated to an extended curtain call, a good 15-20 minutes of Let’s Do the Time Warp Again… And the vibe shifted, the room dancing, singing along. It was still OUR show! And when the Kiwi writer of Rocky Horror, Richard O’Brien joined the cast on stage, my heart soared! Not just the original Riff-Raff, but the father of a petulant child that’s grown into something beyond his wildest imagining.
The Rocky Horror Show is as close to a must-see as this critic will ever get, whether it’s your first or 50th time.
The Rocky Horror Show is playing at Auckland’s Civic Theatre through 8 March. Tickets are available HERE.
It then moves on to Christchurch. Tickets for those performance available HERE.
Veronica McLaughlin
