The Liberal Agenda – The Rocky Horror Picture Show 5 stars
Fifty years after it first strutted onto stage, The Rocky Horror Show remains the ultimate cult musical — part theatre, part ritual, part rebellion. With a West End cast now touring New Zealand, this glitter-soaked celebration of identity, absurdity and pure theatrical excess proves why Rocky still reigns supreme.
★★★★★ (5/5)
A 50-Year Cult Phenomenon That Refuses to Fade
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 phenomenon 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.
The West End Cast Brings Theatrical Silk to New Zealand
You aren’t a NZ’er 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 athleticism that added a ‘wow’ factor.
Frank-n-Furter: The Role That Defines a Generation
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.
Why Rocky Still Matters in 2026
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.
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.
