Review: Rocky Horror Show – Theatre Royal

The Rocky Horror Show has, for forty years, been thrilling audiences across the world and so it was with some glee I finally got chance to witness the spectacle in all its glory when it came to Nottingham this week.

The Theatre Royal was awash with Brad and Janets, Frank n Furters and Riff Raffs not to mention a number of rather fetching half naked men, sporting only golden shorts, dressed as Rocky.

Pretty everyone knows the story of Rocky Horror by now, but for the few that don’t it focuses on innocent young college lovers Brad and Janet – Ben Forster and Dani Harmer – who, after breaking down on a rain filled night, stumble across the castle of the mysterious Frank ‘N’ Furter. Wishing for shelter from the rain the young couple have no idea what sordid antics await.

Dani Harmer, best known for the title role in hit kids TV series Tracy Beaker, revelled in the lead role delivering a stunning performance as Janet and was clearly loving every minute – in particular the crowd interaction.

Of course the real fun comes with the songs and hits such as “Dammit Janet” and “Creature of the Night” went down as well as can be expected but, unsurprisingly, it was the ‘Time Warp’ that was the biggest hit of the night.

It may well be forty years since Richard O’Brian penned the original version of the show but it is still as enjoyable and brilliant as ever and it was a well earned standing ovation that greeted the cast at the climax of the show.

If you have never had the chance to experience Rocky Horror live I certainly suggest you rectify that now, in fact why not take the advice of Frank ‘N’ Furter and “give yourself over to absolute pleasure”.

Review by Geri Patterson. 

Rocky Horror Show is playing at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 28 September – for more information click here