Review : Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show at The Regent Theatre*

The Rocky Horror Show time warped itself to The Regent Theatre and made a grand entrance on the opening night yesterday.  The production was made up of a star-studded cast which included Blue Singer Duncan James as transvestite Frank N Furter, Strictly Come Dancing pro and sister of Kevin, Joanne Clifton as Janet, James Darch as Brad, Steve Punt as the Narrator and Kristian Lavercombe as Riff Raff.  Let me assure you that the theatre show which has been going on for the last 45 years did not disappoint at all.  Everyone came dressed up and as soon as the curtains opened, the audience went wild with applause when they heard the theme song, Science Fiction – Double Feature being sung.  The narrator and actors were perfect as they played their characters well and the narrator Steve Punt was fantastic at answering the audience back with witty replies.  As soon as the famous Time Warp song started, everyone was on their feet dancing. What an atmosphere …what an experience..totally electric!

For those who are a Rocky Horror virgins …this production is not like any other; similar to a panto, you will be expected to interact with the narrator and actors and bring along props such as gloves, torchlight or Christmas lights (oh yes some did bring this!).  When the song Over at the Frankenstein Place was sung, everyone got their lights out.  A word of advice – If you are heading for the show…do dress up (don’t worry …you won’t be out of place)…as many did last night in maid outfits, sequinned coattails, bowties, hats, wigs, fishnet stockings, gloves and a Punk Corset!  Expect to see lots of flesh on stage as the cast will be dressed in lingerie and hotpants and there will be lots of innuendoes as well which trust me…will get the crowd roaring with laughter.  Unlike The Full Monty which had a high majority of woman in the audience, I saw lots of older men at The Rocky Horror Show who came dressed up as Frank N Furter with wigs and they were not shy to interact with the actors during the show.

Truthfully…. Duncan did his character Frank justice! He sang well, and got the audience riled up  everytime they saw him in his corset, doing a dance routine. Joanne was just amazing on the floor, her dancing is impeccable, as her singing voice. If you want to see some big guns, then you won’t be disappointed as Calum Evans who stars as Rocky has some amazing muscles which he proudly flexes on stage and his gymnastics skills don’t go unnoticed as well. The whole show was well performed and reminded me of the Rocky Horror Movie which was released in 1975, starring Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon.  Special mentions has to go to the other cast members such as Miracle Chance who starred as Columbia…she was extremely talented and kept the audiences in hysterics, Ross Chisari plays both Eddie and Dr Scott, Laura Harrison who played Magenta/Usherette perfectly as well as the back-up dancers/Phantom Reece Budin, Shelby Farmer, Katie Monks and Jake Small.

Directed by Christopher Luscombe, you would also love the other huge musical hits such as Sweet Transvestite and Dammit Janet amongst others.  Well, if there is one show you must catch this year, then its The Rocky Horror Show! We were on our feet dancing at every chance and when the show ended we were also treated to a final Time Warp dance. Not many shows get an immediate standing ovation, but this show did and so well deserved as well!  The show is playing at The Regent Theatre until 8 June and the tour will finish in Richmond in November.

About Rocky Horror

The Rocky Horror Show tells the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two squeaky clean college kids who meet Dr Frank’n’Furter by chance when their car breaks down outside his house whilst on their way to visit their favourite college professor. It’s an adventure they’ll never forget, with fun, frolics, frocks and frivolity, bursting with timeless songs and outrageous outfits. The Rocky Horror Show is a guaranteed party, which famously combines science-fiction, horror, comedy and music while encouraging audience participation meaning, of course, getting dressed in the most outrageous fancy dress.

How much do the tickets cost?

Tickets are priced from £13 to £40

How do I book tickets to watch Rocky Horror Show?

Tickets are now on sale and available from the Box Office, by calling 0844 871 7649 or by visiting ATG’s website here.

How long is the show for and what are the timings?

The show opened yesterday and will run until Saturday, 8 June 2019. Shows from Monday to Thursday will be at 8pm while the Friday and Saturday shows will be at 5.30pm and 8.30pm

Where is The Regent Theatre in Hanley, Stoke?
Piccadilly
Stoke-on-Trent
ST1 1AP
Tel: 08448717649

About Regent Theatre

The Regent Theatre is a theatre in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Constructed in 1929 as a cinema, it is one of several theatres in the city centre and one of two owned by the Ambassador Theatre Group. The building was converted for full-time use as a theatre in 1999, and since then has hosted a number of shows and musicals. The theatre is also the northern base for the Glyndebourne Touring Opera.

Tips / Information

• Parking is ample either around the public car parks close to The Regent, but do check the rules. Some parking lots might need you to pay even at night. We parked up at intu Potteries and that cost us £1 (its fixed rate after 6pm).
• The Regent also provides binoculars (usually located at the back of each seat) for £1.
• Programme Booklets are usually on sale for £5, full details of the show and cast members are featured on it.
• The Regent is a beautiful theatre with ornate decor and traditional seating. It has plenty of performances out throughout the year and lots of variety.

Some history about Rocky Horror Picture Show

If you are a Rocky Horror virgin and have not heard about the show before, here’s a little history for you.  Rocky Horror Picture Show is a 1975 musical horror comedy film by 20th Century Fox produced by Lou Adler and Michael White.  Directed by Jim Sharman, the screenplay was written by Sharman and actor Richard O’Brien, who is also a member of the cast. The film is based on the 1973 musical stage production The Rocky Horror Show, with music, book, and lyrics by O’Brien. The production is a parody tribute to the science fiction and horror B movies of the 1930s through to the early 1960s. Along with O’Brien, the film stars Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, and Barry Bostwick and is narrated by Charles Gray with cast members from the original Royal Court Theatre, Roxy Theatre, and Belasco Theatre productions including Nell Campbell and Patricia Quinn.

You may also want to read this:

New Vic Theatre stages the world-first in-the-round production of Brassed Off

Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap heads to Hanley’s Regent Theatre

Review : Wallace & Gromit’s Musical Marvels at Hanley’s  Victoria Hall

Photo Credit: Regent Theatre / Richard Davenport

* We were provided with press tickets in exchange for a review. All opinions are our own.