THE Rocky Horror Show is not just a musical. It’s a full-body experience. Begin with the dressing up and let your imagination run wild. Feeling a bit shy? A pair of fishnet stockings and a feather boa will do just fine. But add the corsets, heels, sequins, and party hats and you’ll be doing the Time Warp again in no time.
With the foundation laid, it’s time to enter the theatre (On The Bay), clutching your R100 participation pack (IYKYK), where you’ll encounter members of the ensemble lounging against the walls with an air of insouciance. The stage is draped with a velvet curtain and strewn with empty popcorn tubs. While you wait for the Usherette to sing Science Fiction, the tunes are a mix of ’80s and ’70s glam rock, an appreciated detail.
And then the moment we’ve all been anticipating: the curtain goes up for the opening scene: Brad and Janet outside the church. This first glimpse of the set is incredible, worthy of a gasp, and this continues throughout, making you want to drink every moment, every detail, from the dark and gothic to the bright candy colours. Everyone involved with this production deserves a massive shout out, so let’s begin with set designer Greg King. Well done, sir. You have made this stage come alive as a canvas for the cast.
And then we’re off on this strange journey, where every song is a masterpiece. The Time Warp? Spectacular. We meet Riff Raff, Magenta and Columbia before Frank-N-Furter makes his grand entrance, the best on any stage or screen, fight me. Soon, we’re up in the lab for the birth of Rocky, such a confused and ingenuous muscle man who doesn’t quite get why everyone is so upset about Eddie’s fate.
Time for interval and a themed Rocky Horror cocktail (or mocktail) in the foyer before act two, and the sex scenes none of us understood when we first saw the movie as children, really. We loved the music though, and Frank…well, everyone loves Frank. Things move quite quickly, there’s a lot of touching, Dr Scott pitches up, and it’s soon the for rose-tinted Floor Show, Frank’s sensitive moment with Don’t Dream It, Be It and the raunchy high energy Wild And Untamed Thing. Magenta and Riff Raff return in their space costumes to announce it’s all over. Frank responds with the beautifully poignant I’m Going Home, in what is ultimately his most powerful — and vulnerable — plea. It can make you cry.
You probably know how it ends, although there will always be fresh new virginal audiences so I hope there aren’t too many spoilers here. Craig Urbani plays Frank, channeling the Curry he’d want to see but never imitating as he strides across the stage to chastise his children. Anna Olivier as the effervescent Columbia is cute and funny and tragic, and costume designer Terrence Bray has outfitted her in the classic hot pants, tail coat and sparkly ruby slippers. Jasmine Minter plays Magenta (and the Usherette) to perfection and Schoemann Smit as Riff Raff brings a bit of Renfield energy.
Zak Hendrikz plays the dual roles of Eddie and Dr Scott, the way it was originally intended, and William Young is standing in for Micah Stokajovic (he has a sore knee) as Rocky, who may or may not have too many muscles, depending on your taste. Natasha Sutherland as the Narrator, delectably prim and haughty, has her work cut out for her as she’s the butt of many of the call backs from some audience members, which she handles with aplomb as these are to be expected.
From the New York Times: “If you’ve been to a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the 1975 cult film starring Tim Curry, chances are you’ve thrown toilet paper, shot a water gun or yelled crude epithets at the characters while singing along to the movie’s infectious rock numbers.
“But you wouldn’t approach a theatrical version of the musical with the same lack of inhibition — or would you? That’s the question that Sam Pinkleton, the director of The Rocky Horror Show on Broadway at Studio 54, a revival of the original musical, has been navigating since previews began [late last month].
“Core to the fandom surrounding Rocky Horror is a series of ‘callbacks’ or ‘call outs’, in which audience members shout along with or in response to dialogue — a tradition that originated with the film but bleeds over into theatrical productions. The audience participation at the start of the Broadway run, Pinkleton said, was so disruptive that the show has had to take steps to tame unruly crowds, including adding signage in the lobby reminding theater goers they were not at a movie and a new section to its website urging fans to ‘choose your call outs carefully’.”
Theatre On The Bay has also put up signs, but what are you going to do?
And what of Brad and Janet, who lose every last shred of innocence in Frank’s castle? Léa Blerk is as sweet as Janet should be, until she’s not. Robert Everson is the straight and strait-laced Brad. Until he’s not. As a couple they are gorgeous and for me they brought something extra to this umpteenth time I’ve watched this thing: what becomes of them afterwards? I suddenly cared about that. This cast, this production, has made the characters, and their fate, matter more than ever.
Miguel de Sampaio, Tjaart van der Walt, Cleo Wesley, Alessia Gironi, Taya Pearson, Gabi Knight and Sasha Duffy complete the dynamic ensemble. All their costumes are stunning and highly enviable, and the whole package is wrapped up in sound by David Classen (so much thunder!), Faheem Bardien’s lighting (so much lightning!), and the richness only a live band can bring. Musical director Kevin Kraak on keys leads Arianna Carini (guitar), Matt Keswell (drums), and Adam Fredericks (bass). All the moving parts of the choreography which just looks so seamless are thanks to the exceptional talent of Duane Alexander and Naoline Quinzin, and bringing this all together are director Steven Stead and resident director Anton Luitingh.
And where would all this be without Richard O’Brien? Thank you.
The Rocky Horror Show runs at Theatre On The Bay until 31 May 2026. Tickets from R295 through Webtickets and the Theatre on the Bay box office on 021 438 3300. PG 16.
PHOTO CREDIT: Daniel R Manners
