The Rocky Horror Show: Sunderland Empire

The Rocky Horror Show Review: Guest post by Melissa Marshall.

January 2019 sees Rocky Horror Show hit the stage of Sunderland Empire and what a hit it is. I’ve never seen Rocky Horror Show on the stage or on the screen, but I do know a small amount of the songs including the incredibly catchy Let’s Do the Time Wrap. This musical will not let you down, it makes you belly laugh, sing along and even dance to iconic songHere are 3 reasons why I think you should go see Rocky Horror Show.

It Has A History Like No Other

Making its debut in 1973, it has not only been performed worldwide in over 30 countries in every continent and translated into more than 20 languages. Richard O’Brien the creator of the musical says, ‘it’s like alternative pantomime and even has its own Panto Dame Figure’ and explores themes that many people wouldn’t go near.

‘It’s not shocking so much as naughty’ – Quote by Richard O’brien (Musical Creator

The Rocky Horror Show: Audience Interaction Is Fully Expected

The Show has several songs that are classics. Who doesn’t know the words, or the dance moves to Let’s Do the Time Warp, Sweet Transvestite and Toucha, Toucha, Touch Me. They’re classics that every 90’s disco has played, or cheesy night club hasn’t played in the early hours. For me, some of the best scenes involved the Narrator (played by Dom Joly) who has some great interactions with the audience. I’m not sure if maybe it’s in the film or some members of the audience had seen the musical so many times that they learn these extra lines but let’s say some of them were very funny and the timing of some of them were incredible.

At the end of the musical performance, the cast comes out and the whole audience gets up and dances which I’ve never done at a theatre and I thoroughly enjoyed dancing to the time warp sober

‘Pure Musical Madness! Great Audience interaction and never stopped laughing throughout’ – Quote by Tara McCully

Belly Laughs Will Happen

I don’t think there was a point in the whole musical that I wasn’t laughing. The musical has some great one-liners and some of the scenes just make you giggle. The story is wacky from start to finish with Janet and Brad. They get a flat tyre and get caught in a storm. Then take shelter in the home of a mad transvestite scientist Dr Frank N Furter (played by Stephen Webb).

If that is not a weird premise for a musical I don’t what is. When Janet (played by Joanne Clifton from Strictly Come Dancing) and Brad (played by Ben Adams) lose their innocence. It is maybe one of the weirdest scenes I’ve seen on the stage. But you get to see them go through meeting some wild individuals. Finally meeting Frank N Furter’s muscular creation Rocky Horror. Played by Callum Evans who has the most pristine muscles I think I’ve ever seen.

‘This would be a great night for a group of girls looking to laugh their way into the night’. Quote by Melissa Jane Marshall

Rocky Horror Show is here til the 2^nd February. There are a few tickets still available The cast is amazing and worth every penny. Furthermore, recommend heading to Sunderland Empire to see this legendary musical before to leaves for the rest of the tour

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