Rocky Horror – The Pedant’s Paradise!

There are two distinct similarities between Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror show and one of the Bard’s more popular tragedies: you can be sure that the audience will know large swathes of the libretto word for word!

And that can be a terrifying minefield to walk for cast members who know that one deviation may well incur the wrath of the mob. Equally, being word perfect is no longer enough for a show as iconic as Rocky Horror, where well-oiled direction is a given, leaving only nuance to differentiate the various productions that have taken place since its 1973 debut.

So, it was with a keen eye, that I spied last night’s ‘World Tour’ offering at Leeds Grand where Duncan James stepped up to the plate as Frank N Furter, with Kristian Lavercombe making his last minute entry as the Narrator, filling the gap left by much heralded Steve Punt.

Overall, the show was great and, as usual, everyone was on their feet, but James was only a 95%er to Lavercombe’s 110%. It was so apparent that our Narrator for the evening had already notched up more than 1400 performances. He was not only brilliant but totally at ease with the abuse that was systematically hurled at him from the audience!

Somehow even Boris Johnson and the Brexit party found their way into the ‘hurl’, and he parried them with all the dexterity and expertise of a rapier tutor from King Henry’s court!

James, by contrast, failed to deliver on the 5% of ‘high-camp’ that is vital to this intrinsically important part, so that it is lifted to the level so revered by Tim Curry fans, the man singularly responsible for mapping the original characterisation. Curry was master of the pregnant pause and never lost his sexual neutrality, whilst Duncan James occasionally crossed a line that turned him into a man in drag rather than a deliciously out-of-control, cross-dressing pervert, that leaves both men and women wondering whether they are about to be assaulted!

Darwin would watch Rocky Horror with intrigue, for it is a show that has evolved over nearly half a century. At one time you could watch it in silence in the same way that you might enjoy Oklahoma, then US audiences began to dress up and Brits and ‘rest of world’ fans followed; the icon had been born.

Then they began to shout out the script before lines had even been uttered by the cast. Now, there is a sub-script where the audience yell out a question or statement that supports the line ‘about’ to be spoken on-stage; the audience know it line by line! Both cast and audience have evolved.

Part of what it’s become is genuinely funny but then there are some persistent ‘shouters’ who are there to give their own performance in the hope of getting laughs, and that can become tiresome, especially for those sitting in front of them; I listened to the interval complaints!

Callum Evans as Rocky had a physique to die for – perfect casting – whilst James Darch and Joanne Clifton as Brad and Janet were excellent. Ross Chisari as Dr Scott looked way too young – the part works better with an older man - and Ross Chisari as Eddie needed to be more statuesque, more rock and roll and less Northern Ballet: Meatloaf rather than Slimcea sliced bread. It was not ideal getting him to cover both Eddie and Dr Scott.

As a ‘piece’, a production if you like, it worked well.. It was fun and entertaining but not as good as productions I have seen in the past. Nevertheless, I am confident that Rocky Horror will always work brilliantly wherever it plays, because people arrive intent on having a good time and that’s a pretty good start for a cast.

As Costume Designer Sue Blane attests, it is a ‘liberating’ show and creates an environment in which even the most withdrawn person can be themselves, whilst remaining incognito behind the façade of whacky dress; ‘this is who I am but don’t tell mum!’ For that reason the Rocky Horror Show with all its perversions, shouting and downright mayhem must always be applauded loudly. It invariably is.

Rocky Horror Show
Leeds Grand Theatre
Until Saturday 24th May