There were corsets, hospital gowns, glitter and fishnets galore outside Leeds Grand Theatre as crowds arrived for the Press Night of The Rocky Horror Show. Since it first opened, Rocky Horror Show has become the longest continuous run of a contemporary musical anywhere in the world, but this was my first time watching the global phenomenon.
I had done my research and yes, I did expect the audience in costumes and active participation throughout. However what I wasn’t prepared for, was just how wonderfully anarchic, fun filled and infectious of an experience Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show would be.
The show tells the story of Brad and his fiancé 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 favourite college professor. It’s an adventure filled with fun, frolics, frocks and frivolity, bursting with timeless songs and outrageous outfits.
There is an exceptional cast, led by superstar Jason Donovan in the legendary role of Frank-N-Furter. Donovan is fantastic; fun, menacing, in hilarious form and as expected, his singing was stellar. Other stand-out performers include comedian Nathan Caton – his witty repartee as The Narrator kept the audience on their toes and delighted the obvious show devotees who parried with gusto, and Lauren Chia as Janet, who straddled the line of wide-eyed innocence and sexiness to perfection.
Brad is played by Connor Carson, Riff Raff by Job Greuter and Magenta / Usherette by Natasha Hoeberigs. Columbia is played by Jayme-Lee Zanoncelli, Rocky by Morgan Jackson and Eddie / Dr Scott by Edward Bullingham. Completing the cast are Phantoms Ryan Carter-Wilson, Arthur Janes, Hollie Nelson and Erica Wild, with on-stage swing Alex Hetherington and on-stage swing/dance captain Stacey Monahan. There were no weak links, with all the cast performing with energy and excellence.
Directed by Christopher Luscombe, the smash-hit show features all the famous musical numbers which have made the show such a huge hit for 50 years and counting, including Sweet Transvestite, Science Fiction/Double Feature, Dammit Janet and, of course, the timeless floor-filler, Time Warp which had the whole audience on our feet and dancing in our seats.
Famously combining science-fiction, horror, comedy and music, the show is an absolute delight and above all, it is a guaranteed party. Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show defies space and time to continue to captivate audiences around the world.
If there’s ever a place to embrace the unconventional, it’s here. Outrageous and utterly enjoyable, it’s a show you could happily see again and again. Next time though, I won’t forget to don my fishnets…
Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Mon 2 to Sat 7 June 2025. Book tickets online at leedsheritagetheatres.com or call Box Office on 0113 243 0808.
Review and images by Victoria Reddington @vic_reddington
Some images supplied
