It is opening night of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and the atmosphere is one of antici…pation. The Musical Theatre Society’s yearly tradition has returned for three sold-out Halloween performances. I initially saw the show with a friend in first year; through the haze of smoke machines and dramatic lighting, I was entranced by the magnificent costumes and iconic songs. Returning two years later with the same friend, I’m excited to see pre-show Rocky Horror traditions as I sit down. Audience members are dressed up spectacularly as characters from the show, a select few of which are chosen for a costume contest judged by the crowd. Paper bags under seats include props for the audience to use in the performance; there is toast to throw, and newspaper which we are mysteriously told to “shield” ourselves with later in the show. Red, lipstick-drawn Vs on foreheads humorously indicate who in the audience is a “virgin” to watching the show.
The performance opens with a dance sequence – choreographed skilfully by Louise Wright – to the iconic song, “Science Fiction/Double Feature.” The Usherette (Caroline Kerr) elegantly lip-syncs the track alongside ensemble dancers. We then meet the newly engaged Brad and Janet, whom Struan Barker and Lila Ahnger play with characteristic anxiety and unravelling inhibition. The show is no exception to Rocky Horror‘s tradition of audience callbacks; some people yell ‘No Neck!’ at the Narrator and ‘Asshole!’ at Brad, as well as their own ad-libs. Adam Mercer’s directing is witty; Brad and Janet’s “car” is the ensemble cast bobbing up and down whilst holding a Grease number plate. After their car breaks down, Brad and Janet must enter the stormy night. The piece of newspaper comes in handy as the ensemble cast run onto stage and, replicating the rain, spray us with water guns. With nowhere else to go, the couple enter The Frankenstein Place, a castle that confounds their all-American ideals. Aliens – from ‘the planet Transsexual in the galaxy of Transylvania’ – dance the famous “Time Warp,” which the audience joins in on as instructed. We ‘jump to the left,’ ‘step to the right’ and do the ‘pelvic thrust’ in unison for a few fun and chaotic minutes.
Annie Schofield’s performance as Riff Raff, the castle’s alien handyman, is a standout; her glee spookiness receives many audience laughs. Nicole Gibson Morales and Ellie Shaw bring high energy and a compelling dynamic to their portrayals of the servants Magenta and Columbia. After the “Time Warp,” Brad and Janet finally meet Dr Frank-N-Furter, whom Ona Wright performs with the perfect combination of villainy and pathos. Frank-N-Furter’s creature Rocky – played comically by Izi Prothero in a muscle suit – is born, emerging from beneath a pride flag. Chaos ensues as the reckless Eddie (played zealously by Aidan Stephen) crashes the party and is killed by Frank in a moment of crazed jealousy. Joe Hill brings wit to his performance of Dr Scott, the cynical doctor who arrives to look for Eddie (his nephew). Heather Tiernan’s costuming is a highlight, featuring neo-gothic corsets, black stiletto boots, fishnets and pearls. Brad comically changes into nothing but a lacy, see-through robe. The set design of The Frankenstein Place, however, would perhaps benefit from more detail; the sole colonnade on stage lacks the splendour of the film’s castle. Dimmer lighting might also achieve a more foreboding tone.
The surreal narrative then sees Frank sleep with Brad and Janet, and Janet fall for Rocky in a captivating performance of “Touch-A, Touch-A, Touch Me.” Frank’s anger leads him to turn Brad, Janet and Dr Scott into statues, then back to humans again for a cabaret dance sequence. In the final, amusingly absurd part of the show, Riff Raff and Magenta interrupt the dance to reveal their plan to usurp Frank. They brandish ginormous sex-toy weapons (à la Everything Everywhere All at Once) which they use to chase and kill Columbia, Frank and Rocky. Riff Raff and Magenta run off stage to Transylvania, leaving the bewildered Brad, Janet and Dr Scott. As the “Science Fiction/Double Feature Reprise” begins, the cast run back on stage and take their bows. Cheers and well-deserved standing ovations follow. With commendable production and performances, this year’s Rocky Horror was a riotous celebration of eccentricity and queer identity. I’m excited to see what madness MusT conjures up in next year’s production.
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