(The Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd)
Richard O’Brien’s cult classic, Rocky Horror Show, makes a
triumphant return to Malvern Festival Theatre, judging by the packed house on
opening night. The show recently celebrated its 40th Anniversary
with a special West End performance, screened live in cinemas across the
country, and is now on a national tour, to the titillation of cross dressing
fans everywhere.
Kay Murphy opens this science fiction, double feature and
captivates from the get go. Her vocal ability as Usherette is as impressive as
her physical agility as Magenta. Emmerdale’s, Ben Freeman, and X Factor’s,
Diana Vickers, are perfect as the naïve and, oh so, impressionable, Brad and
Janet, who are on a night out that they will remember for a very, very long
time. Comedian, Steve Punt, brings welcome decorum to proceedings as Narrator,
handling the audience contributions to the script with aplomb. Kristian
Lavercombe is one of six cast members who were in the televised West End
special and deservedly so with his incredibly powerful voice and
characterisation as Riff Raff. Joining him, is the equally talented Sophie
Linder-Lee with her dynamite performance of Columbia and the image of physical
perfection, Dominic Anderson, as Rocky. Making his musical theatre debut, since
being in S Club 7, Paul Cattermole is great in the dual roles of Eddie and Dr
Scott, with Ben Kerr, Will Knights, Hannah Malekzad and Lauren Ingram making up
the wonderfully freaky ensemble. In the lead role of Frank-N-Furter, is the
beautiful and super talented, Liam Tamne, whose portrayal equals that of the
previous owners of those iconic stilettos, Tim Curry and David Bedella.
Director, Christopher Luscombe, and choreographer, Nathan M
Wright, have created a superbly slick and entertaining production, brilliantly
enhanced by Hugh Durrant’s set deisgn and Nick Richings vibrant lighting
design. The show would have a fraction of the impact, however, without Ben Van
Tienen’s musical direction and immensely gifted band.
If you have been fortunate enough to get tickets to see this
show, you are in for an outrageous night of delightful debauchery. Not for
prudes and the easily offended, thank goodness!
5 stars
