The Rocky Horror Show

Don't you know it's just a jump to the left and then a step to the right? Well, that can only mean one thing, the Rocky Horror Show is back at the Alexandra Theatre Birmingham.

This legendary rock'n'roll musical celebrates 50 years with this special anniversary production. It’s the longest continuous run of a contemporary musical anywhere in the world. This is surely a testament to its ability to delight audiences repeatedly.

The Rocky Horror Show tells the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two squeaky clean college kids who meet Doctor Frank ‘n’ Furter by chance when their car breaks down outside his house whilst on their way to visit their favourite college professor. They're in for a wild ride with outrageous songs, characters, and costumes. What ensues is an adventure that they will not forget in a hurry.

Directed by Christopher Luscombe, who has overseen various international tours of Rocky Horror, this production is everything you want. The cast is incredible, and I feel I must name them all. The current cast features Stephen Webb (Jersey Boys/Legally Blonde) as Frank, Haley Flaherty (Mamma Mia/Chicago) as Janet, Richard Meek as Brad, Kristian Lavercombe (Jersey Boys/Jesus Christ Superstar) as Riff Raff, Darcy Finden as Columbia, Ben Westhead (Oliver/The Sound of Music) as Rocky, Suzie McAdams (School of Rock/Kinky Boots) as Magenta and Joe Allen (Little Shop of Horrors/Charlie & The Chocolate Factory) as Eddie & Dr Scott. Phillip Franks plays the Narrator.

The Phantoms are played by Stefania Du Toit (Starlight Express/Singing in the Rain), Jessica Sole (Into The Woods/Camelot), Reece Budin (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical/Man of La Mancha) and Fionán O’Carroll (Theatre whilst training: Urinetown/Children of Eden) who is making his professional debut. Nathan Shaw (Walk Like A Man) is Male Swing and Tyla Nurden (Funny Girl/Carrie, The Musical) is Female Swing.

Rocky Horror is a cult classic and there are things you just can't mess with, and this production gives you all your favourite moments whilst still progressing with the times. The show has been carefully crafted to respond to the world that we all live in now. It's subversive, sexy, and so much fun.

I believe that this is a show that still holds as much reverence and revelatory discovery as it did 50 years ago. Because at the core, it's all about embracing your true self. The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a musical that allows the audience to escape into a world where anything is possible and where our differences are celebrated. It was wonderful to see so many people dressed up, making the effort to dig out the fishnets and come as their favourite characters. And it was brilliant to see on opening night, the audience participation was in full force, with the cast responding so well to it.

So, Rocky Horror fans old and new, go see the show’s famous musical numbers performed live by some seriously talented individuals. But if you really want to be it (not just dream it), you better wise up Janet Weiss.

The Rocky Horror Show is on at Alexandra Theatre Birmingham until Saturday 1st April. Tickets are available at the following link https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-rocky-horror-show/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/