The Liberal Agenda – The Rocky Horror Picture Show 5 stars
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Can we please just give Richard O’Brien a New Zealand Order of Merit for services to cult culture?
Richard is a family friend and I have forever been in awe of his role in global culture.
Rocky Horror Picture Show is a cultural phenomena and one of those rare gems that has the cultural longevity of 50 years!
It exploded in popularity at Midnight screenings where audience members would call out new dialogue and it became a beacon for self exploration.
You aren’t a NZer if you haven’t seen Rocky live and it’s on now at the glorious Civic and you simply must go.
The joy in this current production is that it is a West End cast and watching a treasure like Rocky performed with the skill that West End demands is pure theatrical silk.
Brad and Janet (James Bisp and Hayley Flaherty) were dreamboat middle class American cheese, the Narrator (Kristian Levercombe) was hilarious in his timing and comedy skills.
The background performers were sharp, the band was phenomenal and Riff Raff (Ryan Carter-Wilson), Magenta (Laura Bird) and Columbia (Daisey Steere) were brilliant as the beloved cast of Frank’s Entourage.
Eddie (Edward Bullingham) was perfect and Rocky (Morgan Jackson) brought an aerobatics that added a wow factor.
The big question over any Rocky Horror performance is always the role of Frank-n-Furter, one of the great character roles in Musical Theatre.
Tim Curry made the role his own with his unique performance which is a curse and a blessing for anyone attempting the role, because for Rocky to work, the role of Frank-n-Furter has to be as good as Curry’s or better, which is a hell of a task but sweet Jesus did Stephen Webb nail the performance.
His glorious rendition is funnier and wonderfully powerful on stage.
You will be cheering.
At the end, dear old Richard appeared, Frank brought out the rainbow pride flag and even the original Columbia, Nell Campbell appeared.
The documentary on the 50th Anniversary of Rocky was out last year and it is worth watching, Richard made an incredibly unique piece of art that has helped people connect in ways they never believed and it opened up a door about how transformative musical drama could be beyond vaudeville.
In the times we are living now, Rocky is the show we all need.
5 Stars
The Rocky Horror Show is on at The Civic in Auckland until March 8, at Isaac Theatre in Christchurch March 11-15, and at St James Theatre March 18-29. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster.
