The Rocky Horror Show – Adelaide

It’s hard to believe that Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show was penned over 40 years ago by an out of work actor just trying to keep busy. Indeed, it’s hard to believe that a musical parodying B-grade horror and science-fiction movies could stand the test of time. But the flamboyant musical is now a cult classic, as is the motion picture, and everybody has danced ‘The Time Warp’ at one stage or another.

The brilliance of Richard O’Brien’s musical is its innate capacity to entertain and engage every single audience member. The avid theatregoer will appreciate the technical intricacies, seasoned theatregoers will respond to the well-rounded ensemble cast, occasional theatregoers will enjoy the spectacle, innuendo will have the reluctant theatregoers in hysterics, and everybody, everybody will be in awe of Craig McLachlan.

It’s called the Rocky Horror Show, but an equally appropriate name would be the ‘Craig McLachlan Show’. McLachlan’s Dr. Frank-N-Furter rightfully steals the show. Clad in fishnets, corset and high heels, Mclachlan’s immense stage presence demands audience attention. His timing is perfect, his voice is superb and he deserves every standing ovation he receives this season!

As in the case with most small cast productions, McLachlan’s performance is enhanced by his peers. The Narrator sets the scene ominously, and who better to set the scene than playwright and original Riff Raff, Richard O’Brien! What O’Brien lacks in musical prowess, he more than makes up for in his onstage presence.

The love-struck, newly engaged couple, Brad and Janet (Tim Maddren and Christie Whelan Browne), are the catalysts for the ensuing journey. They stumble upon an eerie castle (did I mention it was a dark and stormy night) and their comic innocence is a startling contrast to the castle’s motley inhabitants. Riff Raff and Magenta (Kristian Lavercombe and Erika Heynatz) and Columbia (Ashlea Pyke) make up Frank-N-Furter’s entourage. Nicholas Christo plays the duel roles of Eddie and Dr Scott and Brendan ‘perfect-specimen-of-man’ Irving plays Frank-N-Furter’s marvelous creation, Rocky. The Phantoms (Vincent Hooper, Luigi Lucente, Meghan O’Shea and Angela Scundi) are a fascinating creative aspect of the show, serving to fill out the ensemble numbers while adding nothing to the plot.

Those who are familiar with The Rock Horror Show, or The Rocky Horror Picture Show (ie: not Rocky Horror Virgins) obviously know what to expect, plot-wise. For those who are new to the Rocky Horror experience, consider reading ‘The Virgins Guide for Audience Participation Etiquette’ prior to engagement. In a nut shell: The first act will most definitely be amongst the most entertaining 40 minutes of your life. The pace is frenetic and you’ll struggle to contain yourself from dancing in your seat. The second act gets weird. Of course, this is justifiable in the context of B-grade Horror and Science-fiction movies, but the first act trumps all.

Punctuating the positives in this production is the dynamic lighting design and the flashy yet utilitarian sets. The bed sequence is enormously creative and clearly an audience highlight, but also where the show progressed from innuendo to something much less subtle…

The music is punchy, and the vocals throughout the entire cast exceeded expectation. There were some disappointing sound issues however, resulting in difficulty hearing key lines or phrases.

The 40th anniversary production of The Rocky Horror Show is predictably full of madness and frivolity. Heightening the madness is the sing-a-long mentality and audience dress ups (very, very interesting…) The high energy production, spear-headed by Craig McLachlan, ensures nothing less than an enjoyable and memorable night at the theatre.

It is well known that ‘Mad March’ is much loved by South Australians, and is renowned nationally and internationally. The diverse cultural experiences and the exhaustive scheduling of the Adelaide Festival and Fringe Festival, WOMAD and the quirks of the Garden of Unearthly Delight delivers something for everyone. In the aftermath of these, and many other spectacular events, Adelaide audiences have a perfect excuse to feel culturally hungover. Despite this, the 40th anniversary production of The Rocky Horror Show proves that there is always room for more madness in ‘Mad March’.