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Rocky Horror Show
Editorial ReviewEditorial Review
13 February-17 August 2008
Star Theatre, Sydney
It’s been 35 years since Rocky Horror first strutted onto the stage with a big dose of sauciness - and it seems we never tire of re-vamps of the vamps in fishnets.
Back in the seventies, the camp movie version (released in 1975, two years after the stage show) caused a bit of a stir with Tim Curry prancing about in not very much (and oh wasn’t he gorgeous). But in 2008 the idea of a show starring a transvestite is hardly risqué. Not when it’s commonplace to see Alexander Downer dressed up in drag in Keating! The Musical (and believe me it’s worth seeing) or a whole lot of drag queens singing their way across the desert in Priscilla.
So what’s in it for today’s crowd? If you’ve never seen the movie or one of the many productions, the first thing you’ll need to do is get hold of the Rocky Horror soundtrack. After all these years it still stands up as some of the best music around. Damnit Janet, Science Fiction, Sweet Transvestite and the classic pelvic-thruster, Time Warp are show stoppers with cult status; they just don’t go out of fashion.
And the twisted story is really just a grown-up fairytale about temptation and morality – concepts that stand the test of time. The oh-so proper couple, Brad and Janet (Andrew Bevis and Kellie Road) lose their way and stumble across the Frankenstein place to become corrupted by a transvestite, Frank-n-Furter (iOTA) from the planet Transylvania. Their lives are never the same again.
Director Gale Edwards has side-stepped more classical productions like the Royal Shakespeare Company’s The Taming of the Shrew to add her own wicked twist to this kitsch sci-fi musical. Also starring Tamsin Carroll (Magenta), Michael Cormick (Eddie and Dr Scott) and Sharon Millerchip as the tap-dancing Columbia, Rocky Horror is a raunchy ride that has arrived in noughties with a lot of style and more than the usual amount of suspender belts.
For more information go to the Rocky Horror Show official site. Seen the horror and gone into a mind-flip? Let us know what you thought of the show.
Judith Hatton, Arts Editor, Citysearch
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12 comments
Roy: I saw the show recently & the performance itself was fantastic. I was very disappointed though by a group of drunk women screaming throughout the show (beyond what should even be acceptable for Rocky) and who ruined the show for a lot of people in the audience. The ushers should have dealt with it, given the number of complaints, but nothing was done. It was a shame for the cast too, who at one point had to ask the women to quiet down. I contacted the management afterwards but didn't hear back. I doubt I'll see any more shows at Star City because of this - it's not a cheap night out and the audience all deserve to enjoy the show. (26 July 2008)
marika: i hav loved this movie for yrs n i had seen this play done on broadway in new york city n u no they say everything is betta on broadway,but i tell ya sydney wins it hands down. it was the BEST i have ever n will see!!! I loved it so much im going to see it again in 2wks.i just wished i had seen this show earlie n not a month before it finished.u guys r the best. (20 July 2008)
Ellie: I saw the show last night! it was awesome!! I enjoyed it so much. I think the variations to the original movie made it more fun, if it kept to the same script, characters costumes etc it wouldnt have been as good as this one. I enjoyed it so much! iOTA is fantastic! and even Gretel suprised me =] (12 July 2008)
COLLEEN: Travelled from Mackay, Queenslnd to see the show on 13th April. I Absolutey loved it. Thought the cast was FABULOUS. Iota you rock. Will be back to see it again . Will be recommending it. (17 May 2008)
Kevin: Very disappointing. Paul Capsis was not Riff Raff! He was...., well, Paul Capsis! Why was he dressed as himself for most of the show? What's with the hair? His Riff Raff was a travesty! (07 May 2008)
nathan: I cant get enough of this show! The rocky horror show has been and always will be the best musical ever made.the way that this show has been twisted a little bit with some new costumes and new lines throughout the show is just fantastic! you couldnt ask for a better show.on tuesday may 13th it will be the third time im going,with many more to come in the future.So i suggest you go put on some heels and your fishnets and thrust your way over to the frankenstein place!!! great show :) xo (07 May 2008)
Daniel: Talented though he is, Paul Capsis was oh, so wrong as Riff Raff. What were the producers thinking? (06 May 2008)
Annette Brown: We travelled down from Darwin to see show on Friday 11th April. Thought the show was fantastic. Thought the audience would be more involved and more people dressed up in costumes. We are trying to get photos from Mix 106.5FM Radio Station we were entered into the Best Dressed Competition. Cant find their website to view photos any suggestions... (17 April 2008)
Karen: I absolutely loved it. It doesn't quite go to the traditional script but the energy, the costumes, the singing, the talent of all made this a must see for me. (06 April 2008)
Rebecca: IT WAS AMAZING! best :):) (30 March 2008)
Martin: This version is different to the movie - but still great! I agree that Rocky Horror music never goes out of fashion. I still love it! (16 March 2008)
Sonia: As a midnight attending, goody bag taking, stage show devotee, chronic movie watching addict of Rocky Horror for 30 years, I was was very disappointed in this version, to say the least. I felt that a classic was been violated on a stage in front of me and I was defenceless to help it. Any diehard will know that their are key elements of a classic that you can not mess with. Plus, Riff Raff has a hunch, Rocky doesnt talk, Frank doesnt ride on a huge penis, and whats with all the Zombies? Weird. (25 February 2008)
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