What better way than to celebrate the return to theatres than seeing the Rocky Horror Show at Venue Cymru, Llandudno, the show that has been one of my all-time favourites since seeing the Rocky Horror Picture Show the film based on the original production.
This was the first time that I had seen the show on stage, I’ve seen the amazing show before but that was the live broadcast at the Scala Cinema in Prestatyn which was broadcast for Amnesty International.
Way back in 1973, The Rocky Horror Show was performed for the first time before an audience of only 63 people in the Royal Court’s Theatre Upstairs. Thankfully it was an immediate success and transferred to the Chelsea Classic Cinema, before going on to run at the Kings Road Theatre, 1973-79 and the Comedy Theatre in the West End, 1979-80.
In 1975 thanks to the success of the theatre runs the show was transformed into a fantastic film and retitled as ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’. This film adaptation took over $135 million at the Box Office and is still shown in cinemas around the world more than 40 years after its premiere, making it the longest-running theatrical release in cinema history. Many stars including Russell Crowe, Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Jerry Springer, Jason Donovan and Meatloaf have appeared in the show over the past 45 years.
As I mentioned earlier I’ve never seen the show live on stage, so it was a thrill to be able to finally get to see The Rocky Horror Show at Venue Cymru in Llandudno and to see the theatre returning to its glory days with people enjoying a night out to the theatre after it being closed for over 19 months!
There was a fantastic buzz at the theatre and as with The Rocky Horror Show‘s reputation there were plenty of people dressed up like Frank, Magenta and many of the other characters from the show, suffice to say I’ve never seen so many guys wearing fishnets and ladies underwear before, but it’s all part of the experience of the show and everyone is there to have fun and enjoy a night of music and laughter.
In the show at Venue Cymru, actor, presenter and winner of Strictly Come Dancing Ore Oduba (Curtains / Grease) is starring as Brad Majors and he certainly not only brings the character to life on the stage but also brings his own acting skills to the performance as well, such a joy to watch on the stage.
We couldn’t have the show without one of the most flamboyant characters in Rocky Horror and Stephen Webb (Jersey Boys / Legally Blonde) puts on the fishnets and rather large beads to play Frank. Webb is fun to watch and has an amazing voice to portray the most famous transvestite in theatre history.
I absolutely loved Philip Franks (The Darling Buds of May) as The Narrator, he was superb as fans of the show ad-libbed to his narration and he responded to them perfectly to great applause by the packed out theatre. Of course, we couldn’t have a Brad without Janet and Rachel Grundy plays alongside Oduba with great comedy timing, the pair are perfectly matched for the roles.
One of my all-time favourite characters from The Rocky Horror Show has always been Riff Raff, ever since seeing The Rocky Horror Picture Show back in the 80s when Richard O’Brien played the character, then a few years ago when I saw the live show broadcast to the cinema I was introduced to Kristian Lavercombe‘s portrayal and It’s great to see him again at the theatre with a faultless performance and one that I still can’t get enough of.
Christopher Luscombe’s direction is fantastic to watch, sing along to and of course get involved with by shouting out the ad-libs along the way, the show features all the wonderful musical numbers that many of us have come to love including “Sweet Transvestite”, “Science Fiction/Double Feature”, “Dammit Janet” and, of course, the timeless floor-filler, “The Time-Warp”.
Seeing the show at the theatre is a fantastic way to lift the spirits and standing up together with a packed theatre singing and doing the time-warp is a site to be seen, it only goes to show how much this musical masterpiece is loved by so many people.
The set design, lighting, music and choreography are amazing, this is a show that you have to see if you haven’t seen it already, if you have seen it then go see it again. Last night’s opening night of the show was given a full standing ovation and I have to say that it was well deserved, don’t miss the show, go see it.
Ready to thrill you with fun and naughty moments, The Rocky Horror Show is the boldest bash of them all. But be warned, this show has rude parts! The Rocky Horror Show is at Venue Cymru from the 13th of September to the 18th of September, tickets are available now from the website.
Let's do the Time-Warp again!
Event Title: The Rocky Horror Show 2021
Event Description: It was the opening night of The Rocky Horror Show at Venue Cymru with Strictly Come Dancing winner Ore Oduba.
Start date: September 13, 2021
End date: September 18, 2021
Location name: Venue Cymru
Address: The Promenade, Penrhyn Cres, Llandudno LL30 1BB
Performer: Various
Offer price: 20.50
Currency: GBP
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
