Show: The Rocky Horror Show
Society: New Wimbledon Theatre (professional)
Venue: New Wimbledon Theatre. 93 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1QG
Credits: By Richard O'Brien. Produced by Ambassador Theatre Group, Hill Street Productions and Rupert Gavin in Association with APOTA Productions.
Type: Sardines
Performance Date: 22/11/2022
The Rocky Horror Show
Image: By David Freeman (previous cast)
This show is nuts! …and brilliant all at the same time.
But let it not be said that it never appliea tweaks. This perenial production, directed by Christopher Luscombe, which has been playing for years returns to New Wimbledon Theatre this week. It’s very loud, rock ‘n’ roll and super sexy. With plenty of the audience wearing the obligitary stockings, suspenders and sparkles, shouting out the funniest lines – which is what happens when this show comes to town.
However, there’s a new Narrator in town! While Philip Franks takes some time out, Jackie Clune has taken over – and comes prepared. Whatever the audience shouts, this lady has a witty response ready. Bravo! But I think it is the little things that impresses me the most. One single example is the arrival of Rif Raf in the bed immediately post interval alongside Frank N Furter and Brad. Very funny as is the choking fit that Frank also goes though at the same time, thanks to one of Brad’s ‘hairs’. The illustrious list of past Narrators includes the likes of Stephen Fry, Mel Giedroyc, Emma Bunton, Ade Edmondson, Anthony Head and Richard O’Brien himself.
Speaking of Rif Raf, Kristian Lavercombe has now performed over 2,000 shows as the hump-backed henchman and, as such, has now performed in the show more than anybody else in the show’s 48-year history. What a pro. You’d think it was his first show he is that good. It also works well (arguably) because of the lack of TV celebs in the cast. Brad (Richard Meek), Janet (Haley Flaherty) and Frank N Furter (Stephen Webb) to Eddie / Dr Scott (Joe Allen), Columbia (Darcy Finden) and Magenta / Usherette (Suzie McAdam) are perfectly put together and work well.
Hugh Durrent’s original set design still works well and features MD, Charlie Ingles’ five-piece band perched up high behind the iconic film strip.
As far as the music goes you would have to have been living in a cave not to have heard of The Time Warp. In fact most of the biggest numbers are heard in the show’s first half: Science Fiction/Double Feature, Dammit, Janet, There’s a Light (Over at the Frankenstein Place) and Sweet Transvestite… as well as the timeless Time-Warp – which is repeated during the finale (of course). When I interviewed Paul Nicholas I remember him telling me how, around the time he was in the original cast of Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar how Richard O’Brien would keep playing him songs from a new musical he was writing. Next year the show celebrates its fiftieth anniversary, and you can be sure the celebrations will be grand… and sparkly!
All photos: David Freeman (previous cast)