Richard O’Brien’s cult classic makes a triumphant return to Malvern Festival Theatre, judging by the packed house on opening night. The show recently celebrated its 40th Anniversary with a special West End performance, screened live in cinemas across the country, and is now on a national tour, to the titillation of cross dressing fans everywhere.
Kay Murphy opens this science fiction, double feature and captivates from the get go. Her vocal ability as Usherette is as impressive as her physical agility as Magenta. Emmerdale’s, Ben Freeman, and X Factor’s, Diana Vickers, are perfect as the naïve and, oh so, impressionable, Brad and Janet, who are on a night out that they will remember for a very, very long time. Comedian, Steve Punt, brings welcome decorum to proceedings as Narrator, handling the audience contributions to the script with aplomb. Kristian Lavercombe is one of six cast members who were in the televised West End special and deservedly so with his incredibly powerful voice and characterisation as Riff Raff. Joining him, is the equally talented Sophie Linder-Lee with her dynamite performance of Columbia and the image of physical perfection, Dominic Anderson, as Rocky. Making his musical theatre debut, since being in S Club 7, Paul Cattermole is great in the dual roles of Eddie and Dr Scott, with Ben Kerr, Will Knights, Hannah Malekzad and Lauren Ingram making up the wonderfully freaky ensemble. In the lead role of Frank-N-Furter, is the beautiful and super talented, Liam Tamne, whose portrayal equals that of the previous owners of those iconic stilettos, Tim Curry and David Bedella.
Director, Christopher Luscombe, and choreographer, Nathan M Wright, have created a superbly slick and entertaining production, brilliantly enhanced by Hugh Durrant’s set deisgn and Nick Richings vibrant lighting design. The show would have a fraction of the impact, however, without Ben Van Tienen’s musical direction and immensely gifted band.
If you have been fortunate enough to get tickets to see this show, you are in for an outrageous night of delightful debauchery. Not for prudes and the easily offended, thank goodness! ★★★★★ Rob Holcroft 10th May 2016
