REVIEW Rocky Horror Show UK Tour 2019…
Rocky Horror is back on tour in 2019 having opened in Brighton for Christmas in 2018.
With book, music and lyrics by Richard O’Brien, The Rocky Horror Show UK Tour has been an audience favourite since it first premiered at the Royal Court Theatre on 19 June 1973.
Some 40+ years later this iconic, beloved and adored play is still selling out! 2800 were rammed into the Concert Hall in Nottingham tonight and they couldn’t wait to join in (within seconds) and get on their feet.
Some shows don’t need a review. Just look at this packed house and standing ovation…
I don’t think there’s another show in history where so many of the audience make such an effort to join in the party. It’s a fascinating community to be part of.
The best thing about Rocky (and it’s biggest problem) is that it is a club. If you don’t know the film and history – you will be very confused and might struggle to keep up.
My advice is just turn up, switch your brain off and simply enjoy 2 hours of mindless, uplifting camp old nonsense – surrounded by people who are just having fun. This ain’t Shakespeare!
The Rocky Horror Show UK Tour tells the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two squeaky clean college kids who meet Dr Frank’n’Furter by chance when their car breaks down outside his house whilst on their way to visit their former college professor.
It is a nonsense adventure they (and you) will never forget – with silly fun, frivolity, frolics and of course, those famous frocks.
This pathologically cheerful show bursts at the seams with timeless classics including Sweet Transvestite, Science Fiction/Double Feature, Damn It Janet and, of course, the pelvic thrusting Time Warp.
Enjoy an HD TV interview with Duncan James about Rocky Horror 2019:
In reality the show is somewhat outdated and wafer thin, but who cares – the punters loved it!
Technically the sound tonight was LOUD and perfect! A huge achievement for the guys at the back working a very tricky room for clarity. Bravo!
There’s no spectacle but the show is driven by a young and hard working cast who are vocally flawless.
Nottingham turned up and turned out well…
This classic musical extravaganza was scheduled to star Blue singer and Hollyoaks actor Duncan James tonight, but sadly he was ill. Curiously no announcement pre-show and no-one seemingly cared.
The roll was covered expertly by legend Kristian Lavercombe who makes it look easy. Camper than Julian Clary on Hampstead Heath – this man owns Frank with ease. Vocally powerful and punchy. A flawless exercise proving that names sell shows but the pros will always deliver & impress.
Joanne Clifton was a cute Janet, Miracle Chance brought the sass, Callum Evans delivered the abs as Rocky with a very impressive set of pipes, Laura Harrison was effortless, Andrew Ahern is a great Riff Raff and the entire company gave it there all.
Theatrically this piece relies on a knowing audience joining in and adlibing. Sometimes this works better than others…especially in an enormous space like TRCH.
Other than Aherne, the star of the show for me was Philip Franks who drives the piece with such class as Narrator. Only genuine LOL moments – I give him a huge fist of approval.
With some shows a review is pointless. This is a perfect example. What I think is irrelevant. They were on their feet and they loved it!
Directed by Christopher Luscombe, the smash hit show features all of the famous musical numbers which have made The Rocky Horror Show such a huge hit for over four decades, including “Sweet Transvestite”, “Science Fiction/Double Feature”, “Dammit Janet” and, of course, the timeless floor-filler, “The Time-Warp”.
Here’s Duncan and Alex. Watch our HDTV interview above…
Brighton Theatre Royal 14-December-5 January
Manchester Opera House 9-26 January
Sunderland Empire 28 January-2 February
Milton Keynes 4-9 February
Wimbledon Theatre 1-16 February
Sheffield Lyceum 18-23 February
Torquay Princess 25 February-2 March
Woking New Victoria 4-9 March
Belfast Grand Opera House 18 – 23 March
Oxford New 25-31 March
Southampton Mayflower 8- 13 April
Bromley Churchill 15-20 April
Liverpool Empire 29 April-4 May
Birmingham New Alexandra 13-25 May
Stoke Regent 3-8 June
York Grand Opera House 10-15 June
Bristol Hippodrome 17-22 June
Blackpool Opera House 24-29 June
Bord Gais Energy 1- 6 July
Glasgow King’s 12-18 August
Leeds Grand 20 – 24 August
Nottingham Theatre Royal 28 August-1 September
Dartford Orchard 23 September – 28 September
Edinburgh Playhouse 28 October- 2 November
Richmond Theatre 25-30 November
Preview by Alex Belfield for Celebrity Radio 29th August 2019
