 | | Keeley, Keeley, Della and Natalie - all from Leeds |
These days the Rocky Horror Show is seen not so much as a piece of musical theatre but as something of a phenomenon and, most definitely, an event. This, then, is not so much a review as an appreciation. Picture, if you will, the centre of Bradford on a dark November evening – a cold wind is blowing and icy rain is falling. You turn around when someone asks you if this is the way to St George's Hall. Any other week and you would be wondering why the questioner is clad in a cape and his companions – most likely his daughters – are dressed for a high school prom, or they would be if this was the USA in the 1950s. Other people are making their way towards the Hall. A passer-by shouts: "No prizes for guessing what's going on here!" Arriving at St George's Hall we have to hand our bags over to be searched. While that's not so unusual these days, on this occasion the security people are looking for cigarette lighters, water pistols, Kit-Kats, rice and TOAST! Go figure…
 | | By day Amy and Sally study at Leeds Uni! |
St George's Hall is packed with mad scientists, maids and usherettes. Needless to say there are basques in abundance. There are a few would-be Goths and some people who are just content to glitter. As we look around we soon realise the great thing about this is that anything goes. There's no great pressure to conform, just an appreciation of other people's efforts. In the bar before the show people cheer their friends as they arrive – they admire each other's costumes. Many of the people we talk to have come from outside Bradford. That's the thing about The Rocky Horror Show, once is usually not enough. A bit like The Sound of Music really! Well, not quite. The guy behind tells his companion he's only here to "have some fun." Later he'll hear Frank 'N' Furter sing: "Give yourself over to absolute pleasure" so he's obviously got the right idea. Normally when we review a bit of theatre, we tell you something about the story without, of course, giving the game away. I'm not sure it's really necessary here but, if you really don't know, think "science fiction, double feature" just as it says in the opening tune. However, The Rocky Horror Show was born in 1973 so it's no wonder that it's more Glam than 'B Feature' movie. It's on record that David Bowie was an early visitor to the show. All American sweethearts Brad and Janet (they've only ever done "heavy petting" before) have trouble with their car but, not to worry, there was a castle back there with a light on! They can phone for assistance…Need I say more!
 | | Janet (Suzanne Shaw) meets Frank 'n' Furter! |
Well, let's get most of the review bit over with. The songs are a good as ever, the pace is as it should be, the set is great (I never knew a ladder could have so many uses), the costumes are splendid. The performances can't be faulted (more of this later…). However, these days interaction with the audience is a big part of the show! And, they are on to a winner with this particular production. Brian Capron, as the Narrator, brings all the baggage of his award-winning performance as Coronation Street 'Bad Boy' Richard Hillman to the production. The audience loves him – just listen to the hisses and boos. There's plenty of shouting out throughoutÌý the performance but our Narrator has some very good lines for put-downs. In a place as tightly packed as St George's Hall, once you remove the distance between audience and players there is a slight danger things could get a bit out of control but it's all good-natured fun. Everybody joins in with their own version of the Timewalk and there's plenty of foot-stamping, shouting out and clapping along to the music. The other really vital ingredient for a good Rocky Horror Show is to have a convincing Frank 'n' Furter but there's no need to worry. David Bedalla gives a mesmerising performance and I'm now really sorry I missed Jerry Springer – the Opera. David won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor for his performance as Satan/Warm Up Man, a role he also created.
 | | Richie and Gemma from Bradford |
The Rocky Horror Show is billed as "the biggest and baddest rock 'n' roll musical" ever, the hoarding outside St George's Hall shouts, 'Sexy' and Brad and Janet certainly lose their innocence thanks to Frank 'n' Furter. Despite all this it's a bit sad at the end (to say more would be to say too much). I can't help thinking there is a certain innocence about the whole thing but that probably says more about how the world has changed since 1973. If you are looking for a bit of a laugh with some good tunes thrown in, then you certainly won't be disappointed. You haven't got a stitch to wear? Don't worry about it – anything goes. But, if you really want to get into the spirit of the thing, check out fans' site Timewarp where you'll find the definitive 'Virgin's Guide To Rocky Horror.' As the song says, "Don't dream it, be there!" But if you do want to catch The Rocky Horror Show act now, there are just a few tickets left! Chris Verguson The Rocky Horror Show continues at St George's Hall in Bradford until Saturday November 25 2006. | 
