Canterbury was doing the Time Warp this week at the Marlowe, as the Rocky Horror Show rolled into town.
Celebrating its 40th year, the UK tour of the hit musical is a fresh as the first performance all those years ago, delighting audiences with its risqué and cheeky humour, certainly entertaining the hoards of hen parties in attendance.
As an audience you are encouraged to dress up as your favourite character to add to the atmosphere, which does provide some priceless pre-performance entertainment.
Richard O’Brien’s incredibly camp musical is as entertaining as it is terrifying, particularly with the addition of audience participation, which narrator Christopher Luscombe dealt with superbly, despite challenges from a raucous Canterbury crowd.
Dani Harmer, of Tracy Beaker fame, is wonderful as the shy but sexy Janet, supported by her on-stage partner Brad, played by Ben Forster.
Of course, the star of the show is by far the character of Frank-N-Furter, the deranged sex-crazed transvestite from Transylvania, whose entrance brought the Marlowe theatre onto its feet.
At times, the humour can feel forced, and some of the jokes do wane at times, as, dependant on the performance, audience participation can feel tiresome, but that’s the risk you take.
Backed up by a tremendous ensemble and top orchestra, the Rocky Horror Show does not fail to delight, even those who had not seen the film, and had only danced the Time Warp once, drunkenly at a wedding, (that was absolutely, categorically, not me).
You’re guaranteed to wince, you’re guaranteed to laugh, and towards the end (no spoilers!), you might even shed a tear or two, but you’re going to have to be pretty stone-hearted not to enjoy this show, which has become a cult classic.
Dan’s Rating: ****
Running this week, catch it whilst you can!