Review: THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, New Alexandra Theatre Birmingham, January 25 2016

Following a remarkably successful live cinema broadcast across Europe in September last year, The Rocky Horror Show is still riding the wave of its 40th anniversary celebrations. The year-long UK tour kicked off in December and last night brought the house down at the New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham.

Richard O'Brien's show needs no introduction and has been a cult classic for decades. With all of the ongoing discussions at the moment regarding theatre etiquette, you need to take Rocky Horror out of the mix completely as it is widely accepted that rules do not apply here. There has been no other show that allows people to get away with so much including sordid heckling and raiding their Ann Summers dressing-up boxes! For the show to succeed, it needs the audience to buy into it and based on last night, they do wholeheartedly. Sue Blane's initial costume design is legendary and is hence replicated by fans attending the show worldwide.

There is nothing overly exceptional about Hugh Durrant's set which has the occasional am dram characteristic but somehow it gels with the material perfectly. The rock'n'roll style lighting design by Nick Richings does most of the visual work, adding to the concert feel of the production. From the outset, the sound seems a little over-amplified but when the show gets into full swing, it becomes apparent that the levels need to be this way to hear over the audience partaking around you. The band, led by musical director Ben Van Tienen, are absolutely superb throughout. The only slightly muddy song, in my opinion, is 'Hot Patootie - Bless My Soul' as the instrumental and vocals seem to create a block sound which is not entirely pleasant.

Casting Ben Freeman and Diana Vickers as young lovers Brad and Janet respectively is remarkable casting. From X Factor fame, we knew Vickers could sing but I don't recall the powerhouse that she is now. Also, her journey from sweet and innocent Janet to the sexually awakened, somewhat predatory Janet is brilliant. Freeman has an excellent theatre CV under his belt now and he is evidently growing as a performer, show on show. He gives a beautiful vocal in 'Once In A While' in the second half.

The ultimate role in this show however is Frank N Furter and the anticipation prior to his first entrance during 'Sweet Transvestite' is palpable. Coventry's Liam Tamne...damn! What a performance he gives. BBC's The Voice gave him a wider fan base in 2013 but his theatre credits are also to be admired. He most recently starred in The Phantom of the Opera as Raoul - you couldn't get a role further away from Frank N Furter, hence showing his versatility as a performer. Tamne's Frank is incredibly playful and almost childlike at times; this intermingled with the character's heavily sexualised persona and the added inflections he gives make for a huge accomplishment.

The production has a very strong supporting cast as well, notably Kristian Lavercombe as Riff Raff. It is evident that many of them have a long standing relationship with the show and you can see why. The best night out in town for sure.

The Rocky Horror Show is playing at the New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham until Saturday 30th January and currently has UK tour dates until October 2016.

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