A carnival procession of the beautiful and the downright scary paraded at Milton Keynes Theatre tonight to welcome back Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show.
The place was packed with fans who had dusted down their stockings, suspenders and fantasy costumes (and you should have seen what the women wore!)to celebrate one of the strangest and most iconic of shows.
They were in top form too. It’s a bit of an eye-opener if you’re a RHS virgin because heckling is positively encouraged. Rocky acolytes know whole chunks of dialogue and their cues when to bring out the torches, newspapers and (at one time before Heath & Safety intervened) lighters. You really get your money’s worth. It’s almost as entertaining to watch the audience.
What it means is that the narrator of the story must know his stuff and be prepared to handle any brickbat thrown by those in the stalls. Philip Franks, of late directing as much as he is acting, was one of the very best I’ve ever seen. His ad-libs were spot on - and funny - even if he has had months of touring with the musical to perfect them.
But what of the show itself? O’Brien, later known as the presenter of TV’s The Crystal Maze, wanted to create something that paid homage to all those kitsch B movies that played such a big part in his childhood.
He came up with a story that blended the best of sci-fi with a touch of Frankenstein; mixed it with any number of alien stories, threw in some comedy plus a rock n roll song-sheet and created his own monster - a cult musical that is now celebrating its 40th birthday.
At the heart of the story is a transsexual “mad professor” called Frank ‘n’ Furter who is bent on creating the perfect Adonis.
He lives in a creaking castle (natch) together with his servants, the hunch-backed Riff Raff and his sexy sister Magenta, plus the adoring Columbia, away from the outside world, until one day a cute-looking homespun couple called Brad and Janet drop by.
Frank is possibly the best leading character ever created for a musical. He’s certainly an original.
Stepping into the stockings, basque and pearls this time around is Oliver Thornton who made a name for himself in that other drag musical, Priscilla Queen Of The Desert. He’s a bit too attractive, the make-up too panto dame-looking to really convince as Frank but he has all the right moves, great legs, and a powerful singing voice.
Vocally Kristian Lavercombe’s Riff-Raff is sensational and it’s a shame that he doesn’t have more to do while Sam Attwater’s Brad acquits himself well (see more of Brad when appears in Seven Brides For Seven Brothers at The Waterside this autumn). Dani Harmer, as Janet, looks about 12 on stage - she’s so petite - but they make a great double-act.
The whole auditorium were on their feet for the show’s big song, The Time Warp, and, again, for the encore.
This latest re-worked production was lacking in the comic-book humour seen in some earlier creations. There were also significantly less sight gags. It didn’t seem to matter. The audience loved hurling abuse, the cast enjoyed taking it and everyone went home happy.
Rocky Horror Show runs until Saturday. Don’t forget your stilettos and French Maid’s outfits which seem to be de rigueur for men and women this season.
For tickets call the box office 0844 871 7652 ot go online www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes
@LBOanne