HIGH SOCIETY (UK Tour) Review February 2013

It began as a stage play The Philadelphia Story in 1939 which 16 years later became the Cole Porter musical film re-titled High Society. After San Francisco try-out's in 1997 the stage musical hit Broadway in 1998. More recently in the West End the show ran a limited run at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2005 but now a major revival production directed by Anna Linstrum is touring the UK and Ireland.

The story set in the 1930's follows Tracy Lord (Sophie Bould) whose wedding plans are interrupted by the arrival of her ex-husband Dexter Haven (Michael Praed) and handsome journalist Mike Connor (Daniel Boys). Ultimately she must choose between three very different men on a course of self-discovery.

The opening scene cleverly combines Francis O'Connor's beautiful set (complete with Susie the Seagull) and Andrew Wright's expert choreography. The initial musical number 'High Society' which involves Tracy Lord discreetly changing outfits sets the impressive slickness of the show. The ensemble of Butlers and Housemaids work well to provide vocals and provide the seamless transitions between scenes. The ensemble consist of Jill Armour, John Bowles, Steven Butler, Matt Corner, Keiron Crook, Zoë Doana, Carol Heffernan, Lucy James, Ashley Knight, Anthony McGill, Ben Redfern and Rachel Spurrell.

Alex Young as photographer Liz Imbrie makes the perfect companion for Daniel Boys' Mike Connor. Their version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire is a highlight of the first act as is Daniel Boys' second act number You're Sensational which received well deserved rapturous applause.

Star of Dynasty Michael Praed impresses as Dexter Haven who has an interesting selection of songs to tackle. The numbers for Dexter seem less inspired than for some of the other characters but it is the duet with Sophie Bould, True Love that showcases his true talent.

Sophie Bould was given a particularly warm welcome, a local girl who before becoming professional had appeared at the theatre whilst in South Staffordshire Operatics Society who were all in to pledge support. Sophie oozes class, and commands the stage with her natural elegance and suitability for the role of Tracy Lord. Also as impressive as Dinah Lord is 17 year old Katie Lee who has already starred in three West End musicals -  Les Misérables, Matilda and Billy Elliot - the musical where she perhaps honed her pointe skills that she performs with ease in this show. Most definitely a leading star of the future.

Marylin Cutts as Margaret Lord, Teddy Kempner as Uncle Willie and Craig Pinder as Seth Lord all showcase experience as they expertly make up the maturer members of the principal cast.

I must once more refer back to the set which is exceptional, particularly for a touring production. There are no major set changes but a repositioning of furniture and doorways whilst spinning on a revolve is spectacular and sophisticated use of the space. The kitchen scene which involves a tap routine to Well, Did You Evah? is most definitely the choreographic highlight of the show that also includes a Stomp like use of pots and pans to re-inforce the rhythm and accents.

High Society is one of the must-see revival productions this season - it is an explosion of glitz, glamour and talent. The show runs at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until 2nd March and you can book tickets here.

High Society also plays at the Birmingham Hippodrome from 14th - 18th May. Tickets can be booked here.

Promotional video for the tour:

Photographs © Pamela Raith

CADFAEL - THE VIRGIN IN THE ICE (UK Tour) Exploring Cadfael's Shrewsbury and interview with Michael Lunney

Middle Ground Theatre Company present the world stage premiere of Ellis Peter's 6th chronicle of Brother Cadfael The Virgin In The Ice at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre this March.

Between 1977 and 1994 Ellis Peters (Pseudonym of Edith Pargeter) wrote twenty novels featuring the Welsh Benedictine Monk and herbalist - Brother Cadfael who lived in Shrewsbury Abbey in the first half of the 12th Century. In light of Michael Lunney's new stage adaptation we took a trip to the home of Cadfael himself.

Assisted by tour guide and local area expert Dorothy Nicolle we set about the town beginning at the centre-point of all the stories - Shrewsbury Abbey. The Abbey was founded in 1083 and by the 1130's the Abbey still had no shrine to attract pilgrims. According to legend Saint Winefride's suitor Caradog was outraged when she became a nun, and so dicapitated her. Her head was subsequently rejoined by Saint Beuno and the remains of a shrine to her can be found at the Abbey. This story links to themes in the first Cadfael Novel - A Morbid Taste For Bones.

Edith Pargeter died on 14th October 1995 following a fall and short illness. A service was held at Shrewsbury Abbey where a memorial stained glass window to Saint Benedict can be found above the entrance. Part of the window depicts and open book and the character of Brother Cadfael whom Edith Pargeter created. The Cadfael novels are well researched and take place alongside actual historical events and at real venues within Shrewsbury all featured on the tour. The tour of the town continued across the bridge to St Mary's Church and to the castle which also feature heavily in the stories. More on Dorothy's walking tours can be found on her website. 

Gareth Thomas as Brother Cadfael

Fans of Cadfael are most likely to be familiar with the character portrayed by Derek Jacobi in the TV series that ran on ITV between 1994 and 1998. Gareth Thomas steps into the iconic role for the stage adaption of The Virgin In The Ice. It is the winter of 1139 and the tranquil life in the monastery gardens of Shrewsbury is interrupted by violence. Raging civil war has sent refugees fleeing north from Worcester. Among them, a missing trio, including a young Benedictine nun. Cadfael's search for them leads him to discover a chilling and terrible murder most foul - a tale of passion gone astray. 

The production which receives it's world premiere in Wolverhampton was adapted, designed and directed by Michael Lunney.

I was aware of the Cadfael Chronicles and indeed The Carlton Television Series. At the time I was looking for my next project. I decided to read a number of the Cadfael novels and became an instant convert to the good brother. I like the character as a man and as a priest. The fact that he was 40 years on this earth before he entered the cloister in an attempt to make sense of his life intrigued me. That he had been a Soldier, Sea Farer, Crusader and Sinner, set him aside from the usual vocational calling associated with monastic life.

George Telfer as Brother Elyas

I have always relished a challenge. Adapting, designing, directing and producing “Cadfael: The Virgin In The Ice” is certainly that. It has given and continues to give me many sleepless nights. It might look on paper to be a vanity project, but nothing could be further from the truth .It’s simply cohesive artistic planning and a lot of hard work!

Daniel Murray as Yves Hugonin

The production boasts an acting company of fifteen led by the superb double Bafta Nominee Gareth Thomas as Brother Cadfael. We have also filmed a number of bespoke scenes (some with horses) which are to be projected, to help us with journeys into the Shropshire countryside that segue between scene changes. The Design is partly based upon the Romanesque architecture of Shrewsbury Abbey and the church of St Mary The Virgin at what was Bromfield Priory.

The production marks a double celebration in this year’s calendar. It is the centenary of the birth of Edith Pargeter (Ellis Peters) and Middle Ground Theatre Company’s 25th Birthday. Tickets for the world premiere of The Virgin In The Ice at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre (6th - 9th March 2013) can be booked here. 

DISNEY ON ICE - LET'S PARTY! (UK Tour) Birmingham LG Arena, February 2013

Mickey and friends are back on the ice and this time with a magical medley of holidays, celebrations and festivals from around the globe. Premiering in the US in 2009, Let's Party! finally reaches the UK after four years.

We begin at the Mad Hatter's UnBirthday party where poor Mickey Mouse doesn't have a hat to wear. In a scene which involves little else than madly skating across the ice stealing each other's hats, this scene definitely sets up the fun element for the kids. It is here that lucky children are selected to sit in a giant cake and be moved around the ice as they too enjoy the festivities along with Mickey Mouse and all his friends. 

Having made lots of mess in his attempt to steal a hat, Mickey has to tidy up before we can begin the next celebration. This is where the skating skill of the cast begins to show as 17 enchanted broomsticks perform an exciting group number as Mickey magically commands them dressed in his famous red robe and blue wizard hat from Fantasia. 

It's soon the turn of Jack Skellington who invites us all to his Halloween party and who should show up? A whole host of evil villains including Captain Hook, Cruella De Ville and Maleficent who skate a haunting and fierce routine to This Is Halloween. Mickey soon shows up to save the day and rids the ice of evil for Minnie to begin her Valentines celebration.

Minnie dreams of finding her true Valentine and along with the Fairy Godmother watches the Disney Princes and Princesses at the Royal Ball. It is at the stage every year where the skating gets serious, and the routines get evermore exciting. Even though this is primarily a children's show the lifts and tricks are equal to those that we see every Sunday night on Dancing On Ice. There is something to delight everyone... apart from the price of the popcorn maybe...

Things hot up in the second half as we join Lilo and Stitch at a Hawaiian holiday! There are flame torches and skaters in rings of fire - there has to be a slight element of danger in a Disney story.

It's all fun for the moment until Minnie and Mickey's magical transportation device goes wrong and sends them to opposite ends of the globe! Minnie skates a beautiful routine with the female skaters in China complete with light-up fans. Our favourite mice are soon reunited at the New Orleans Magical Mardi Gras led by Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen.

For the finale it's time for perhaps everyone's favourite holiday.... CHRISTMAS! Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald and Daisy decorate the stage, but there's one person missing... (Three actually, Chip N Dale who never show up - but let's not go there...) Goofy, dressed as Santa is stuck up the chimney and the race is on to get him out before Christmas day. Joined by the toys from Toy Story there's lots of Wild West intergalactic fun before the beautifully illuminated finale spectacular bringing back all of your Disney Favourites from the show.

Disney On Ice - Let's Party! plays Birmingham, Liverpool, Sheffield and Nottingham at the remainder of it's tour and finishes on 17th March 2013.

Featuring Rapunzel and Flynn, get tangled up in Disney On Ice - Dare To Dream touring the UK in Autumn 2013 (Tickets on sale from 8th April).

COPPÉLIA: THE RUSSIAN STATE BALLET OF SIBERIA (UK Tour) February 2013

The Russian State Ballet of Siberia are currently touring the UK with four classic ballets. They present at least two different ballets at each venue across an extensive tour of the UK. Wolverhampton audiences are treated to The Nutcracker, Coppélia and Swan Lake.

Coppélia is a comic ballet and tells the story of Franz, a village swain who becomes infatuated by a life-like doll, made by the toymaker Dr Coppélius. Franz casts aside Swanhilde, his true hearts desire until she disguises herself as the doll and saves Franz from the hands of the toymaker.

This is a ballet in two acts, but like a lot of ballets, the story is more or less finished at the close of Act I.

What was most welcoming and heartwarming upon entering the auditorium was the sound of a live orchestra tuning up. In an age where pre-recorded music is all too easy and saves a lot of money it is clear that this company embrace tradition. The curtain rose on a quaint village, full of villagers going about their day - it reminds you of the scene inside those large village clocks with the little clockwork people inside, spinning around.

We are soon introduced to Franz (19 year old Kirill Bulychev) and his lover Swanilda (Elena Pogorelaya) who both impress throughout with the finest of technique. Soon after their initial playful dance, Coppélia the doll is revealed in the window, at least for half of the audience. The window was on such an angle that anyone in the centre of the auditorium and further right could not see her. She soon became the focus of everyone's attention as we moved into the toymaker Coppélius' house.

Dr Coppélius (Alexander Kuimov)  appears in the doorway and at first perhaps unrecognisable could well have been mistaken for the Child-catcher who later resembled Professor Snape with the hairdo of Tracy Turnblad. However odd the appearance, he did make up in movement and was commanding of the stage.

The Corps De Ballet are a very young group, no less disciplined and very enjoyable to watch. Their presentation of Alexander Gorsky and Gennady Malkhasiants choreography was most endearing.

The UK Tour of the Russian State Ballet Company continues until 23rd March, more details here.

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (UK Tour) Review February 2013

Since 1968 the story of Joseph and his dazzling coat of many colours has been performed at every school and theatre (most probably). Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musical returns to Wolverhampton this week and most definitely proved as popular as ever.

Many famous faces have donned the dreamcoat including Jason Donovan, Phillip Schofield, Donny Osmond, Ian 'H' Watkins, Gareth Gates and of course winner of the BBC talent series Any Dream Will Do - Lee Mead. For this touring production runner up from the series Keith Jack who has already starred as the narrator leads the show as Jacob's favourite son Joseph.

Even with the lengthy overture and everlasting 'megamix' finale, Joseph isn't a very long show - but it is packed with catchy songs and exciting dance routines presented expertly by a fantastic cast. Guiding us through the story with a series of fiendishly high-pitched songs is Lauren Ingram as the narrator. A recent graduate of Laine Theatre Arts and already in a lead role, as she often sings in the show Lauren 'will become a star', and she's a very bright one already - coping effortlessly with an impressive vocal range and an incredibly charming on stage presence.

There's no mistaking that each member of the male ensemble are completely on top of their game, all of whom are worthy of mention: Joseph's eleven brothers are made up of Marcus Ayton (Dan), Andrew Bateup (Levi), Kristopher Bosch (Zebulun), Jonathan David Dudley (Asher), Callum Fitzgerald (Napthali), Lee Greenaway (Issacher), Richard J Hunt (Judah), Drew Mason (Simeon), Benjamin Pomeroy (Benjamin), Michael Ward (Gad) and Luke Jasztal (Reuben) who also impresses as the Pharaoh bringing the theatre to rapturous applause numerous times after each rendition of his song.

The female handmaidens Jennie Abbotts, Danielle Acors and Meg Astin all prove to be excellent dancers and provide pleasant harmonies throughout. Theatre veteran Henry Metcalfe is a pure delight as Jacob and Potiphar.

Keith Jack is a superb lead, and having had a few years to settle into the role and make it his own he is able to present a strong and loveable Joseph. His much anticipated Close Every Door To Me doesn't disappoint and it is here where amongst all the fun we've been having we see the emotional and vulnerable side to Keith's Joseph.

Me as an honorary brother and with Keith Jack, Jonathan David Dudley and Lee Greenaway.

With Keith starring this week, the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre is the popular choice for contestants of Any Dream Will Do. Having just had Ben James-Ellis in pantomime, the theatre looks forward to welcoming Daniel Boys who will be appearing in High Society in March.

Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat plays the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until Saturday 16th February and tickets can be booked here. 

DRIVING MISS DAISY (UK Tour) Interview with Gwen Taylor

Gwen Taylor is one of Britain's leading actresses. Gwen trained at East 15 Acting School and has since become a familiar face as Barbara Liversidge in Barbara, Peggy Armstrong in Heartbeat and most recently Anne Foster in Coronation Street.

Now into an extension of the 2012 UK tour, Gwen leads in the heartwarming tale of Driving Miss Daisy.  In Georgia, Atlanta, beginning in 1948 and lasting throughout the 50's and 60's, Alfred Uhry's 1987 Off-Broadway play tells the story of Miss Daisy Werthan, an elderly white Jewish woman and her unlikely friendship with black African-American chauffeur Hoke Coleburn of whom she reluctantly relies on to get around town.

Gwen:     I saw this production in the West End which ran in late 2011 at the Wyndham's Theatre. At the time I had no idea that I would later be doing the tour, and I actually have little recollection of the show itself. I was completely overwhelmed by the fact that I was here watching Vanessa Redgrave and James Earl Jones (who has now taken the show to Australia with Angela Lansbury in the title role). I remember it being such a fantastic play - but the excitement of seeing such great actors is what I remember most about it. I also don't recall much of the film, although I do remember seeing it when it first came out in 1989 starring Morgan Freeman and the wonderful Jessica Tandy.

Gwen Taylor and Don Warrington

Driving Miss Daisy is the first play in Uhry's 'Atlanta Trilogy' of Jewish stories set during the mid 20th Century that includes the play The Last Night Of Ballyhoo and the musical Parade. It is a story about the loss of independence, Miss Daisy (a character based on Uhry's own grandmother) finds herself reluctant to rely on others and her modesty at first won't allow for a chauffeur. We see Miss Daisy struggle to accept Hoke's preferred directions and her gradual deterioration throughout the one-act play.

Miss Daisy has money, she's rather well off but doesn't like to boast airs and graces. I was worried that I wasn't right for the part and a phone call to America with the director David Esbjornson assured me I was wrong. The Miss Daisy's I had seen were all very similar in appearance, and nothing at all like me. But the character's not about how you look, she doesn't require a certain appearance as long as she goes along the journey to acceptance. 

Miss Daisy goes on a journey not just in the car, but in her character too. After crashing her own vehicle she has to accept that she's less capable now and forms an unlikely friendship on the other side of the race divide with her driver Hoke, who is also facing life's struggles. Look at when and where it's set, black's knew their place. Just as it's starts there isn't any particular trouble, the segregation is still accepted. It's like a history lesson, a fun one though! We've had school groups in which has been great to see. It's not just a play for old people, the kids are learning, but through an alternative method.

It's not boring for the kids either, the show is very fast paced. There's no interval, it's 90 minutes of pure entertainment. We're on stage, we're off, quickly getting changed and straight back on again, sometimes ageing years in seconds! There's only three of us on stage, myself, Don Warrington (Hoke) and Ian Porter who plays Miss Daisy's son Boolie Werthan. We have a large crew backstage though, so it's not really like there's only three of us - we're a big family! Myself and Ian go way back, it's great to be working with him again. We were last together too long ago for a production of The Glass Menagerie and he hasn't changed one bit!

The show has been very well received so far, obviously as we're into an extension of the original tour. The audiences in my hometown of Derby are always very kind to me, and the support there was overwhelming. I always get emotional playing to my home audience - I have so many friends and family in to watch. We had to put on an extra matinee in Derby to cope with demand, and that sold incredibly well. I've never been to Wolverhampton though, I've heard the Grand theatre is indeed grand, and I'm very much looking forward to playing there for the final venue of the tour. 

Tickets for Driving Miss Daisy at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre can be booked here.

Promotional video for the tour:

AGATHA CHRISTIE'S GO BACK FOR MURDER (UK Tour) Review February 2013

With Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap playing continuously for the past 60 years in London and now touring the UK, the attention it seems is all on the record breaking production. Following last year's Murder On The Nile, Bill Kenwright and The Agatha Christie Theatre Company (who are now in their eighth year) continue to expertly bring Christie's other mysteries to the stage.

Go Back For Murder is the stage play of the novel Murder In Retrospect, keeping the 'five little pig' suspects but without featuring Poirot. This vintage murder mystery takes us back to 1968, where Carla Le Merchant (Sophie Ward) sets out to discover the truth about her father's murder. After a reading a letter protesting innocence from her late mother who died in prison, Carla is determined to prove her mother was not the killer.  As the title suggests, she goes back... Carla visits the homes of everyone involved throughout the first act in a series of five scenes which involved little more than sitting and talking. The layout and style of the furniture changed each time to suggest a new venue but I can't help but feel this is better suited to film. In true Christie fashion, by the interval every suspect, no more so than another is a potential murderer.

For the second act we are taken back to the day of the murder in 1948 through a camera lens (with a very bright flash) for the denouement which steadily builds to the big reveal. Sophie Ward now plays Carla's mother Caroline Crale. Sophie gives a strong performance as both characters, as does Liza Goddard as Miss Williams. Gary Mavers is Amyas Crale, the father and victim. Joining them are Ben Nealon as Justin Fogg, Mark Lisseman as Turnball, Robert Duncan as Philip Blake, Antony Edge as Meredith Blake, Lysette Anthony as Lady Elsa Greer and Sammy Andrews as Angela Warren.

You really have to follow the story told in different perspectives through some initial lengthy dialogue, but when it get's going it really does build to a very precise, intense climax -  a meticulous murder mystery!

Go Back For Murder runs at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until Saturday 9th February and tickets can be booked here.

The play tours the UK until September 2013 visiting Bath, Blackpool, Cambridge, Cardiff, Guildford, High Wycombe and Swindon Wyvern Theatre. Other dates are listed on the official website.

LES BALLETS TROCKADERO DE MONTE CARLO (UK Tour) Review February 2013

Les ballets Trocks montrer ce soir à l'hippodrome de Birmingham était fantastique! Une super soirée au théâtre ... Oh who am I kidding? My knowledge of the French language is as poor as my understanding of the ballet, but I'm getting there... What I can do however is appreciate the art form, and I find it most enjoyable - particularly this, an all-male company, on pointé presenting Les Sylphides, Black Swan Pas de Deux, La Vivandiere Pas de Six, Dying Swan and Walpurgis Night. The programme varies by venue with Swan Lake Act II and Le Grand Pas de Quarte also part of some performances.

Founded in 1974 by a group of ballet enthusiasts for the purpose of presenting a playful, entertaining view of traditional, classical ballet in parody form and en travesti (portrayal of the opposite sex), the 'Trocks' as they are affectionately called have quickly become internationally known.

A pre-show announcement unlike any other announces last minute cast changes with performers named Sonia Leftova, Marina Plezegetovstageskaya and Stanislas Kokitch setting the tone for the evening ahead.

Les Sylphides

The curtain rises on Les Sylphides which I now understand to be the first abstract classical ballet, a ballet blanc which is without narrative structure or defined characters - which is good, because I couldn't find a narrative. What was clear however was the jealously between the white clad Sylphs which resulted in a diva'ish standoff between dancers. Each ballerina upstaged the other in some exaggerated or ludicrous way yet all whilst executing the most controlled and perfected technique.

Black Swan Pas de Deux

Next is the Pas de Deux from the third act of Swan Lake. More so than the first excerpt, this is where the skill of these men is recognised. Odile danced by Chase Johnsey as Yakatarina Verbosovich is mesmerising. At times you cease to see the male and accept that what you are watching is a world class ballet, which of course you are... until perhaps the prima waves and winks at you.

The Dying Swan

Paul Ghiselin joined Trockadero in May 1995 and with nearly two decades to perfect his Trock he steals the show portraying Ida Nevasayneva as the Dying Swan. With feathers aplenty falling ceaselessly from his tutu, this swan's final dance is something of a spectacle.

After a second interval the final scene is Walpurgis Night in which we see a celebration, Nymphs and Maidens coming together with Fauns. It makes for a beautiful finale. There is an encore which involves removal of the pointé shoes and finds another use for them.

The Birmingham Hippodrome's press trip to France allowed them to share the backstage routine of a Trock as he transforms:

Transforming into a Trock (Birmingham Hippodrome)

After only two nights at the Birmingham Hippodrome, the Trocks continue a UK tour until May before embarking on a journey across America. Whilst in Birmingham on the 1st February the Trocks' open rehearsal was streamed live and if you missed it you can watch the footage here.

Look familiar?

Any chance to see the Trocks is rare, and the opportunity shouldn't be missed - the most entertaining night at the ballet, ever.

Review | ROCKY HORROR SHOW (40th Anniversary UK Tour) February 2013

As an out-of-work actor Richard O'Brien, the lunatic from the Crystal Maze wrote the Rocky Horror Show to keep himself busy on winter evenings. The musical first appeared at the Royal Court Theatre in 1973 and is now in it's 40th year. This year the Rocky Horror Show is back with an all new anniversary party production. 

At any other show you'd be turned away at the door for baring your backside and heckling obscenities but anything goes here and the die-hard fans definitely went all out for the show's Ruby anniversary... there were some sights! The casting director it seems also went all out with an all-star cast who were definitely picked on talent despite their status. 

Roxanne Pallett and Ben Forster

On entering the theatre you find yourself in a derelict movie theater, an usherette introduces tonight's Science Fiction Double Feature. We follow Brad Majors and Janet Weiss as their car suffers a blow-out and they seek refuge in a nearby house, the home of Dr Frank-N-Furter - a pansexual transvestite scientist. 

Leading the show as the newly engaged Brad and Janet are ITV's winner of Jesus Christ Superstar Ben Forster and Roxanne Pallett (Emmerdale). Both embody the sweet and vulnerable college kids with such charm and deliver powerhouse vocals that bring the audience into concert-worthy applause on many occasions. 

Abigail Jaye, Kristian Lavercombe and Ceris Hine

In the role originated by Richard O'Brien himself, I imagine it's very difficult to find a Riff Raff quite up to the job - Kristian Lavercombe is one of the show's many assets and brings everything that Mr O'Brien ever did and then goes one more - giving an outstanding performance and has everyone on their feet for the Time Warp. 

Abigail Jaye and Ceris Hine complete the house servants as Magenta and Columbia. Abigail impresses with a strong vocal and can most certainly belt and her rendition of Science Fiction/Double Feature made sure everyone was enthused for a fun night. The sparkling little jewel of the production is clearly Ceris Hine. Returning to the production after winning everyone's hearts on the 2009/10 tour the pint-sized, tap dancing ball of energy makes sure all eyes on her as she hit the high notes and wings and buffalos her way around the stage. 

 Oliver Thornton

In what has already been billed as the sexiest production of the show to date, producers turn up the heat with West End star Oliver Thornton who dons the iconic stockings and suspenders as Dr Frank-N-Furter. Strutting comfortably, after three years as Felicia in the London production of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert Oliver is no stranger to being so scantily clad. Completely embracing the role Oliver Thornton injects glamour and style into his playful portrayal of the maniacal Transylvanian. Oliver writes one of the UK's leading lifestyle blogs Design For Living. 

Designed for much more than living, Rocky is Frank-N-Furter's latest creation, a blonde haired, ridiculously tanned hunk who for the 40th anniversary is X Factor's Rhydian Roberts. 

 Oliver Thornton and Rhydian

Still with his signature operatic style Rhydian powers his way through the show delighting the audience, receiving screams, wolf whistles and inappropriate heckles aplenty.  There are many opportunities to shout out during the show, most of which are well known and the cast can expect... others are more individual and perhaps less appropriate. If you're planning a night out and intend on participating you may wish to follow the full script of heckles. Tediously making his way through his interrupted lines is Philip Franks and the Narrator who restores order with witty comments in retaliation. Joel Montague's character is set up to receive similar audience participation. 

 Sweet Transvestite

The Phantom ensemble are made up of Maria Coyne, Christos Dante, David Gayle and Rachel Grundy with Andrew Ahern as Dance Captain. All of whom are energetic and on top form, providing eerie harmonies as they lurch around the stage. 

With an exciting new set designed by Hugh Durrant this year's Rocky Horror show is the best you'll possibly see it. The show continues to tour throughout 2013 and further dates are still to be announced. Book tickets here. 

Official Promotional Trailer 2013: