RICHARD O’BRIEN’S ROCKY HORROR SHOW, EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE
★★★★
Shiver in delicious anticipation
Mischievous, masterful and mesmerising, Jason Donovan is on fire for his return to the role of Frank N Furter some 27 years after he first donned the basque and fishnets of the mad alien scientist at the heart of Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show.
Bringing a fresh new dynamic to the 2024/25 tour of the cult musical, there’s a touch of genius about the one-time Neighbours’ heart-throb’s portrayal of the cross-dressing protagonist. This Frank N Furter, part schizophrenic, part lascivious lush, and much, much more, allows the actor to make the role his own. It’s a layered, brilliant and brave new take on such an iconic character.
Even before he steps on stage, there is a roar of anticipation as the opening chords of Sweet Transvestite herald his imminent arrival. It’s nothing to the roar that greets him when he does finally burst on stage. That reception is rewarded with a performance that, in the tradition of the piece, breaks the fourth wall knowingly. Donovan, clearly enjoying every second of interaction with the audience, brings an enormous sense of fun to the role. It’s a charismatic, generous turn that is at the heart of this production.
O’Brien’s musical, which has been around since 1973, is a pastiche of the creaky sci-fi films and B-movies of the 1950s. It tells the tale of Brad and Janet, two all-American college sweethearts, who, finding themselves stranded in a storm, stumble upon the mansion of Frank N Furter and his unconventional ‘family’ – butler Riff Raff, maid Magenta, and creations Columbia, Eddie and Rocky. Seeking his help, can Brad and Janet resist the temptation to indulge in the ‘sins of the flesh’? Or will they too give themselves over to absolute pleasure? Only time will tell.
Alongside Donovan, the current tour sports an entirely new cast who, over the last couple of months, have now grown into a tight company and it falls to Natasha Hoeberigs, as The Usherette, to open proceedings with Science-Fiction/Double Feature, a number she pitches perfectly to send shivers of anticipation for what is to come down the spine. Doubling as Magenta, Hoeberigs is strong throughout, though slightly underplays the second of her two roles.
Connor Carson’s nerdy Brad, meanwhile, is the embodiment of a living cartoon, albeit one with a fantastic voice, while Lauren Chia’s Janet, transitions nicely from would be ‘Stepford Wife’ to empowered young woman as the action unfolds. Vocally, she has some belt.
Holding the story together, Nathan Caton has evolved into a sassy, sharp-tongued Narrator, fielding audience call-outs with a series of witty rejoinders. Though the audience participation may now be muted compared with years past, Caton is on the money when he replies to the call out, ‘How strange?’ with, ‘Not as strange as the sound that came from my phone about 6pm this evening…’ A topical reference to the Scottish Government’s emergency alert sent to all mobile phones a couple of hours earlier, warning of the approaching Storm Eoghan. The audience loves it.
If Job Greuter’s knock-kneed Riff Raff has moments of promise, the sinister nature of the character has been diminished in favour of a lighter, comedic, physically awkward approach that lessens his impact, although his transformation for the show’s denouement is genuinely touching. Elsewhere, an energetic Morgan Jackson puts in a charismatic and athletic turn as Frank N Furter’s latest bedfellow, Rocky.
Musically, the entire company display great vocals which are well backed by a five-piece band led stridently by musical director, Josh Sood. Hugh Durrant’s by now familiar set design still impresses and is ingeniously brought to life by Nick Richings’ opulent lighting design; all striking colours, swirling shapes and proof that nothing beats two strategically placed mirror balls for a simple but dazzling effect.
Today’s Rocky Horror Show is a well drilled, slickly paced, sexy affair that, under the direction of Christopher Luscombe, powers through O’Brien’s memorable score, while Nathan M Wright’s choreography fills the stage and is at its finest in ensemble pieces such as Eddie’s Teddy, which proves a intricately observed ‘family portrait’ of movement and music.
Consequently, as Donovan and company assemble to take their curtain call, every bum is off every seat, as the late Gerard Kelly, who himself once played the Narrator at the Edinburgh Playhouse, would have said; a standing ovation that quickly turns into a glorious communal Time Warp with those on stage.
If you’re looking for a fun night of theatre that continues to engage, amuse and titlate, well, The Rocky Horror Show was great when it all began, and 52 years on it’s still going strong… and Donovan is a must see.
Tour details and tickets here.
