Time Warp! A Rocky Horror Show review

But first, full disclosure: this isn’t the kind of musical theatre you should take your grandma to. That’s obvious the minute Dr. Frank N Furter (Craig McLachlan) arrives – and drops his cape. Fishnets, heels, a corset and bright red lipstick tell me I’m in for a no-holds-barred affair. Oh, and that feminine swagger!As a ‘Rocky virgin’, I take to my plush red theatre seat at QPAC with not a clue about the plot (I know, it’s a crime). But the load of people wandering around the foyer before the show decked out in glitzy costumes, character ensembles and diamonte-clustered ties hints this is no average show. A 50-something-year-old in front of me stands up, wolf-whistles and screams her heart out when Dr. Frank N Furter reveals himself in all his glory, confirming it even more. Oh the antici…pation!

If you’re as much a criminal as me and haven’t even seen the movie remake of the original stage show, then here’s a quick rundown: All the way from Transsexual, Transylvania (yes, that’s right), Dr. Frank N Furter and his entourage are in the middle of one of his maniacal experiments – creating “life itself” in the form of the muscley and sexy blonde-haired Rocky – when the sweet-as-pie and innocent couple Brad and Janet knock on the castle door for help. From there, they’re plundered into a “strange journey”, a night of seduction, surprises and erotic encounters.

As it turns out, only the Rocky Horror Show could take you ‘there’ without sending audiences out the door. Is it risque? Certainly. A bit tongue-in-cheek? You bet. Fun? Damn straight it is! The packed theatre is lured into fits of laughter, calling out clever lines and dancing in their seats. The original Rocky Horror Show was THE pioneer of audience participation, after all, and the cast is full of impromptu wit to strike back at any time. A timeless sci-fi rock’n’roll musical and a hilarious homage to B-rated horror cinema – or a freak show as some would call it – humour and unashamedly lewd remarks are only ever a line or two away.

But of course, such an iconic, bold and wacky show deserves a convincing cast. And who else could pull off the Dr. Frank N Furter nerve, the glamour and the revealing lingerie but the fabulous Craig McLachlan? Brendan Irving as Rocky is also impressive – even from my seat in the back row, his tight and shapely muscles steal my eyes away from the rest of the stage more than once.

The whole cast is brilliant. It’s crazy to think that they can dance AND act AND sing all at the same time. Their vocals are fab from start to finish, including the iconic jingles of ‘Dammit, Janet’, ‘Sweet Transvestite’ and ‘Touch-A, Touch-A, Touch Me’. Maybe aliens really do walk among us!

From the sets to the costumes and the flawless performance, this 40th anniversary production of Richard O’Brien’s classic is the stuff fab nights out are made of. If you’ve never been to a musical before, then this is a sure bet for your first. And absolutely nobody can resist joining in for the pelvic thrusts of The Time Warp – because this is where it all began!

Prepare to be, eh-hem, touched by the Rocky Horror Show. This is no Lion King, no ABBA and no Grease musical. Whether you’re a part of the cult following or a Rocky virgin like me, trust me and go on: give yourself over to absolute pleasure. Just don’t forget to bring your feather boa and leave those morals at home!

The Rocky Horror show is coming to Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne next! You can book your tickets here.