Complementing his suspenders and corset, the feather boa around the shoulders, the man sitting front of RT was majorly blocking any possible view of the stage.  Now, as this had never happened before … as this had never even nearly happened before, RT wasn’t quite sure of the protocol.  Do I ask him to move?  Do I ask him to take off the boa?  As RT was mulling this over, a woman at the end of our row needed to get past us to her seat.  Woman was a legitimate guess taking into account the size of her heels, but as you’ve probably guessed, this was no woman.  This was the first, of a long line of men in drag.


RT wasn’t speechless as such (there were a few words which came to mind, none of which I will write here), but it’s not every day you witness the shuffling and giggling of eight middle-aged men as they take their seats; careful of course not to break a nail, smudge their lipstick or ladder their fishnets.

The first thing which came to mind after this display was undoubtedly the fact that these people were most likely people’s Dads.  That was a horrifying thought as Tidy Your Room Now Or No Pocket Money Dad had mentioned prior to RT’s going out that he’d seen Rocky Horror.  Images of fishnets, basques, corsets, wigs, lipstick, hot pants and stiletto heels came to mind.  Please Tidy Your Room Or No Pocket Money Dad, if you’re reading this never put RT into that position where that is you.
 

With regards to the show itself, it was brilliant and top praise from RT doesn’t come lightly. The stage set was amazing and the acting convincing,  especially Oliver Thornton who played Frank and Ben Forster who played Brad.  I’ve never seen Rocky Horror before so can’t make a comparison but after reading reviews of previous productions I can make a firm judgement that this 40th anniversary show is really the one to see.  After RT came back and told the family, Older Sister and Older Sister’s Boyfriend bought tickets and experienced it all last night.
 

The show was made even funnier by the audience participation throughout.  It was obvious many of the people had seen it numerous times.   It was a great night out and I hate to say it because normally this makes me cringe to kingdom come but RT and Constantly Stressed Mum (who actually wasn’t that stressed) were standing up and dancing to the Timewarp at the end.
 

The narrator was also especially good.  Older Sister said that at the performance she went to someone shouted ‘F*CK OFF YOU W**KER’ at him before he’d even said anything, as is the nature of the show and he carried on regardless.  Not going to lie, RT would probably cry.
 

Besides anything, Frank had very good legs too, shown off of course by his fishnets and heels.
 

People obviously go and see Rocky Horror because they feel part of it.  It’s all about being different and that difference being acceptable.  The audience have lines which they shout out as one and this includes everyone.  You don’t go to watch Rocky Horror, you help to perform it.  You’re dancing, shouting out the audience lines and well ...  no one wants to be the one at the end not on their feet dancing to Timewarp.  It’s hard not to be!
 

Conclusion? If you haven’t seen it, go and see it and if you have, see it again.  RT definitely will be.

 

‘The Rocky Horror Show’ is on at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham until Sunday 3rd February


Follow me on Twitter:
@Rational_Teen

Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here

Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here