'The Rocky Horror Show' (Review)
It’s difficult to explain the ‘Rocky Horror Show’ to someone who has never seen it. It’s one of those shows where you just have to trust the hype and go in with an open mind.
The show doesn’t lean on an intricate plot or a group of sophisticated characters with complicated development arcs. Instead, it dispenses with those entirely and embraces its place as a ‘b-movie’ parody, winning over audiences through sheer wit, smut, shock and tease. It’s a very fun show.
From start to finish, the rock music forms the foundation for a rollicking journey into a bizarre, horror-filled lair with generous doses of fishnet stockings, sexual innuendo and audience heckling to keep that grin on your face.
It’s a silly grin. Definitely a silly grin.
But it’s hard to watch this show and not enjoy it.
Beyond the grin, the audience interaction is what makes this show a cult classic. It’s very unique, especially in such a large theatre, to hear super-fans shouting lines back at the performers during the show - which are then responded to with witty heckles from the narrator. This give-and-take is both expected and unexpected in the best possible way and by breaking the fourth wall in this fashion, you can feel the audience breathe a bit deeper and truly relax into the ridiculousness that’s happening on stage. I liken it to a pantomime for adults. You don’t have to take it seriously. It’s magical.
I could go on and on about the music, the costumes, the lighting, the direction, etc. but that’s unnecessary here. It’s a classic for a reason.
If you need a short respite from your life of responsibility, reasonableness, rationality and red-tape - then look no further. It’s a cacophony of naughty words, naughty scenes, naughty characters and songs that you’ll love.
Let yourself succumb to the charm. You won’t regret it.
My theatre club StageDoor attended this show in January 2020. If you’d like to join us for future shows in the Johannesburg area, you can sign up here.