ROCKY HORROR SHOW (UK Tour) Review October 2013

It's astounding..... time is fleeting..... madness takes it's toll.... but listen closely, not for very much longer does the tour continue! The Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton celebrates the final week of the 40th Anniversary production of Richard O'Brien's Rocky Horror Show and with halloween just around the corner, there's no better time. 

Innocent couple Brad and Janet suffer a flat tyre and seek refuge in the home of Frank-N-Furter - a transvestite of transexual Transylvania. Things go from insane to... well... more insane.

Dani Harmer and Ben Forster

ITV Superstar winner Ben Forster rejoins the cast after a second arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar and is perfectly preppy as Brad Majors. A particular highlight for Ben is 'Once In A While', a song that is a more subtle and tender moment, but a time to showcase his real talent aside from the craziness. Tracy Beaker actress Dani Harmer is a far cry from her Dumping Ground days as the innocent Janet Weiss - she proves to be a versatile performer.

Kristian Lavercombe

Kristian Lavercombe is an excellent Riff Raff. The role made famous by the show's creator Richard O'Brien is a tough one to crack. Having already played the role on an international tour, Kristian is due to appear in the 2014 Australian tour and it's easy to see why he's a favourite. Shrieking his way through with killer vocals, his Time Warp is guaranteed to have you on your feet - an essential member of any production. Ceris Hine returns as Columbia having previously played the role in 2010. Bursting with energy and her tiny frame and squeaky voice make her a cutesy and loveable tap dancing delight. Jade Westaby is a strong Magenta/Usherette. Henry Davis is Rocky, the hunky creation of Dr Frank-N-Furter. His characterisation is perhaps the most suitable I've seen and earns audience sympathy over some of the more 'dumb' previous interpretations, but I guess many don't even look past his bulging leopard-print speedos.

Oliver Thornton

I think whatever show he's in, Oliver Thornton manages to steal it - simply one of the best around. Hot in the heels of many a famous Franks, Oliver surely puts his stamp on the iconic role. A born entertainer, his theatrical highlight of the night has to be The Floorshow and 'Don't Dream It', again a more subtle part of the show but it's in those moments when the message truly comes across. What we get here is a fully-rounded Frank, not just a camp, stocking-clad sex maniac but a somewhat believable character.

Philip Franks is the perfect narrator. Not only because of his willing self-deprecation but for witty one-liners and quick come-backs to some of the more obscure audience heckles. The Phantom chorus provide eerie harmonies throughout, it is a shame they're not a bigger part of the story, they're used often to change scenery.

The set and lighting has been re-designed for this tour and impressively brings the 40 year old musical right up to date in a production that feels incredibly relevant whilst very much keeping the feel of a horror B-Movie.

For a Monday night, Wolverhampton has possibly never been so full of energy. This is one hell of a party - Fishnets, frivolity and fiercely fun! Don't dream it, see it!

Book for the FINAL week of this 40th Anniversary extravaganza at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre here. There is an official after party at Blast Off, open til 3am after the final show on Saturday 2nd November 2013 (more info here).

Cast List: Oliver Thornton, Ben Forster, Dani Harmer, Philip Franks, Henry Davis, Ceris Hine, Kristian Lavercombe, Richard Meek, Jayde Westaby, Maria Coyne, Christos Dante, David Gale, Rachel Grundy, Andrew Ahern.

Watch the 2013 cast doing the Time Warp!

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:

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (UK Arena Tour) October 2012

Having read Lyn Gardner's one star review in The Guardian for this new arena tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock musical I was a little worried that the performance of show would suffer with the ambitious new staging. I can honestly say I disagree entirely and Jesus Christ Superstar is a true phenomenon. I'm happy to defend the show entirely.

In this new adaptation, last years riots form the setting of the story. Just as rioting plans spread through social media, Jesus uses a similar tactic to spread his word.

ITV Superstar winner Ben Forster stars as Jesus, and proving every doubter wrong that indeed someone on the show was more than capable of being Jesus. I actually think that Superstar matched and exceeded a lot of the talent on any TV talent search before. Ben's Jesus is powerful and expertly sung. Gethsemane was most definitely a highlight of the show, with the stage action pausing immediately after to allow for a very lengthy applause. Tim Minchin is superb in the role of Judas Iscariot. Melanie C is a far cry from a Spice Girl here and is an impressive Mary Magdalene. Other stand-out performances come from musical theatre veteran Alexander Hanson as Pontius Pilate and Giovanni Spano as Simon is perfection in his rendition of 'Simon Zealotes'. Pete Gallagher as Caiaphas is a mighty bass. The ensemble, led by dance captain Russell Smith are energetic and exciting. Chris Moyles has a relatively easy job in comparison with his cameo as Herod which injects some fun and musical campness to the proceedings. 

Mark Fisher's set as first appears to be a simple set of stairs, but they soon transform, with a variety of functions. The cross is impressive, and bright enough to light the arena alone, it must be very hot for Jesus up there beside those bulbs! The show works well in an arena, and the sound fills the space easily. My only problem is that being sat at the back of the arena it was difficult at times to make out who was who. There was a large screen at the back of the stage that didn't always show the action, but instead a building or 'backdrop' to suggest a location. The intimacy you would get in a theatre is completely lost and the stage was just too far away. You could only truly focus on what the screens decided to show you, rather than what you wanted to see. 

Overall, the evening was enjoyable and the show holds it's own as a theatrical spectacle. JCS no doubt has paved the way for other theatre-based musicals making the transition to the arena, with the Ben Elton and Queen hit We Will Rock You embarking on a world arena tour in 2013. If there are tickets left for your hometown JCS is worth it for the experience alone. 

You can buy the DVD and BluRay of the arena tour here:

DVD: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jesus-Christ-Superstar-Live-Arena/dp/B009DHOP4S/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1349432093&sr=8-3

BluRay: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jesus-Christ-Superstar-Blu-ray-Region/dp/B009DHOZ5M/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1349432093&sr=8-5

Book tickets here:

http://www.jesuschristsuperstar.com/2012/05/16/jesus-christ-superstar-arena-tour-2/