The Rocky Horror Show

I had heard wonderful things about this incarnation of The Rocky Horror Show. Including sparkling reviews for Craig McLachlan’s Frank N Furter.  The addition of Bert Newton as the Narrator added to my excitement of seeing one of my all time favourite shows. So was I to be disappointed? Well yes and no.

There is nothing dull about The Rocky Horror Show.  There is also nothing logical about The Rocky Horror Show. This farcical journey of two American nerds who are drawn into the sexual debauchery, murder and mayhem of a night in the life of a group of people (creatures?) from the planet of Transexual in the galaxy of Transylvania, is highly entertaining, even if a little nonsensical. Craig McLachlan first played the lead 23 years ago, so it’s not surprising that he seems completely comfortable in the role. Some may say he’s a little too comfortable, spending a lot of time mugging to the audience and breaking the fourth wall.  It’s undeniable that he is talented and that he plays the role well, but sometimes less really is more, even with a show as over-the-top as this. There are times when this incessant mugging actually detracts from the comedy of the script, and innuendo is overshadowed by the explicit.  With that said, I was utterly transfixed by McLachlan’s performance of “I’m Going Home” and the whole audience felt the pathos of the moment.

I was excited to see Bert Newton on stage, but here I was disappointed again. The Narrator typically has a slightly menacing tone, but Bert plays the role like your grandfather telling you a bedtime story. This is not so much the fault of Bert but rather a directorial decision and one that perhaps does not make the most of this immense talent.  Other performances were far better.  Kristian Lavercombe once again takes up the mantel laid down by Richard O’Brien himself and sings and acts the life right out of the character of Riff Raff.  Amy Lehpamer and Stephen Mahy play the love struck and uptight Janet and Brad with great aplomb, proving there is no dearth of talent in Australian musical theatre.  I was perplexed as to why director Luscombe had cast the smallest of all the men in the show to play Rocky, a part with a couple of songs and a lot of references to “Charles Atlas” style physique, however Brendan Irving has a great voice and fabulous six-pack! Jayde Westaby, Nicholas Christo and Angelique Cassimatis were fabulous in their roles, as were the chorus who provided some stunning vocals. The band was quite simply amazing.

At end of the day (or night), individual performances really don’t make a great deal of difference. The Rocky Horror Show is an experience which you will be immersed in from the moment you enter the theatre and I defy you to leave without humming one of the ridiculously catchy tunes. It really is a great night out.

L.B. Bermingham

Photographer: Brian Geach

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