| 'ROCKY HORROR SHOW’ - review |
| Written by Sian Rafferty |
| Monday, 15 November 2010 12:57 |
 The 'ROCKY HORROR SHOW’ is the cult movie to end all cult movies - the everlasting stain on popular culture which endearingly continues to trickle down through the generations. Like ‘Monty Python’, it is one of those movies presented by your parents as a sort of rite of passage into becoming a well-rounded adult. There is just something deeply infectious about this ludicrous and completely perverse horror-fantasy-comedy-musical-romp. I arrived completely stoic, straight-backed and square. Somewhere during the show (as early as ‘The Time Warp’ I think) my feet started tapping, my hips and shoulders struggled not to sway, and finally, in an epic climax, I found myself envious of my middle-aged neighbour’s feather boa, and the man in the fishnets a few rows down. Yes, ‘Rocky Horror’ fever had hit, and I was terribly overdressed.  The whole story has had audiences scratching their heads in confusion for a fair few decades. At some point you just have to forget all your huh?’s and whaaaat's happening?'s and just resign yourself to the ride. The story focuses on newly engaged sweethearts Brad Major (Alex Rathgeber) and Janet Weiss (Lucy Maunder), who one stormy night, find themselves stranded. Originally seeking to use the phone, they venture into a shady castle, yet as the night drags on, they soon realise that maybe sticking it out in the car may have been the better option. The master of the house, Dr Frank-N-Furter welcomes them with open arms into his boudoir of the crazy. And then it gets weird; muscled men are created, both Brad and Janet lose their fifties innocence, and there is a whole lot of leather, spanking and garters. I would have to say, the arrival of Frank (Juan Jackson) on stage saw the blood of many women (and a fair few men) in the audience boil as he flexed and strutted his way through ‘Sweet Transvestite’. Any man that can enthrall the audience in a pair of glittery platforms gets major respect from me any day. Other notables, include a strong Kristian Lavercombe as the leery, and snivelling Riff Raff. Legend Richard O’Brien (the original Riff Raff, writer of the show, and New Zealand’s proudest son) was thoroughly welcomed into the position of the show's narrator.  The entire cast pulled together to create one garish and ghastly house where morals are shaken off and left at the door. It was a smallish cast on the whole, a few more extras to fill out Auckland’s epic Civic Theatre wouldn’t have gone amiss. However, voices were strong, the energy sizzled on-stage, and the crowd was stirred into riotous wolf whistles and cheers. This is Rock ’n Roll people, this is the real deal. So guys, show us those toned calf muscles in manly stockings and stilettos. Women, embrace the poodle skirt, halter top and high pony tail. Remember people – you can never have too much glitter. Thus armed, you may proceed into the naughty night. THINGS YOU MOST NEED TO KNOW: Remember which way is left, and which is right when attempting ‘The Time Warp’. Jumping on your neighbour’s foot whilst attempting the dance is never a good look. HEARTOMETER: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 + 1/2 [ out of 10 ] YOU WILL LIKE, IF YOU LIKE: B-Grade horror films, David Bowie, and the haunted house at fairgrounds. WATCH: The ‘Glee’ season 2 version: ‘The Rocky Horror Glee Show’ which features many of the songs, albeit watered down for American television, and cameos Meat Loaf.  |
