Originally published by L.S. Media. October 4th 2010.

Cast: kara Lane, Haley Flaherty, Richard Meek, Christopher Biggins, Stuart Ellis, Ceris Hine, David Bedella, Julian Essex-Spurrier, Adrian Der Gregorian.

What’s the first thing you think of when somebody asks you to name something about the Rocky Horror Show? It could be the audience that throws away any pretence for the night and turn up for one of the best productions of theatre anywhere. It might be the fine costumes, stockings, high heels and feather boas that are in evidence wherever you look. Perhaps it is the musical numbers that make you tap your foot and sets the rest of the body off to join in or it could be the fine performances from a cast that obviously adore treating their audience to a night out that will live long in the memory.

Whatever your reason, there is no doubt that after over 35 years the Rocky Horror Show still continues to thrill, entertain and shock audiences with its raucous, fun loving and outrageous behaviour and on the evidence of the night, will still continue to do so in another 35 years.

For the third time in a row David Bedella simply shone as the insane but beautifully camp and arresting sight of Frank ‘N’ Furter. David was almost regal as he strutted and preened around the stage as if it was an old friend, something that was begging to be dominated by the sound of his high heels and amazing voice.

What was never going to be in doubt on the night, was how good serial theatre performer Christopher Biggins was going to be as the Narrator. From the moment he came on stage he held the audience in the palm of his hands and took the banter between himself and the audience to new highs. Giving as much as he got from one of the liveliest and jolliest crowds seen at the Empire, Christopher Biggins proved that old adage that form may be temporary but class is most certainly permanent.

The entire cast was in their element and played with an audience that was well up for it on the night.

This musical is just what the doctor ordered to take the on coming winter blues away, even if just for a short while. There is much to make even the straight laced smile and join in with music, the fun and the mayhem that is Rocky Horror.

Ian D. Hall