Richard O’Brien’s production of The Rocky Horror Show returned to the Liverpool Empire last night and it is as captivating as it is funny.
The production certainly lives up to its legendary history, telling the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two squeaky clean college kids who meet Dr Frank N Furter by chance after their car breaks down outside his house. The adventure begins as they step inside the castle and from there it is like a party, filled with fun, frivolity and outrageous outfits.
The Rocky Horror Show combines science-fiction, horror, comedy and music - all while encouraging the audience to participate - including getting dressed-up in the most outrageous fancy dress, of course. And the Liverpool Empire audience certainly didn’t let them down.
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The Rocky Horror Show has everything you love about theatre - stunning sets that transform seamlessly, glorious outfits, and a cast that blows you away. With costumes that bring the characters to life, from Brad and Janet’s Sunday best to Rocky’s leopard print hot pants and Frank’s outrageous fishnets and basque, it’s hard to tear your eyes away from the stage, even for a second.
Suzie McAdam's Usherette introduces the performance, letting the audience know this would be no ordinary show but rather a “science fiction, double feature”. She only steps up her game as Magenta later in the show and is incredible to the end.
West End star Stephen Webb brings Dr. Frank N Furter to life, commanding the stage so well that during his performance of Sweet Transvestite it was easy to forget it wasn’t actually Tim Curry on stage. Webb took to the sassy, straight-talking Frank like a duck to water and managed to encapsulate the character’s vulnerability during his final number I’m Going Home.
Strictly Come Dancing winner Ore Oduba and Haley Flaherty are sickeningly sweet as the innocent lovebirds Brad and Janet. Despite Brad’s timid personality, Ore has all eyes on him as he hits the high notes perfectly. Ben Westhead stunned the crowd over and over with his performance as Rocky.
The musical numbers, including the ever-popular Time Warp, had the audience on their feet, dancing away and completely captivated too. The show had plenty of audience interaction - of course it did, it’s Rocky Horror. Fans were calling out any chance they got and the cast seemed to love it.
Last night, audience costumes rivalled the cast's and the entire show felt like a party - especially when the people in the front row broke out their glow sticks during There's A Light. Philip Franks is outstanding in the role of the Narrator, keeping up perfectly with the heckling crowd. He certainly knew his audience, with cracks about Wagatha Christie, Boris Johnson, Priti Patel and even Sefton Park thrown in.
The entire show feels like going to a party, with some incredible dance moves, stunning outfits on stage and off, and a very clear feeling that the audience matters just as much as the cast. The musical is at the Empire until May 21 and tickets are available here .
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