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Rocky Horror Show
Editorial ReviewEvent Schedule
Comedy Theatre @ Marriner Theatres
240 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
Get Directions Our WebsiteWhen:
2008-09-12Start:12-Sep-2008
End:25-Jan-2009
2009-01-25 23:59:59Price:
$79.90 - $130
Editorial Review
12 September 2008-8 March 2009Tues 7pm
Wed-Sat 8pm
Sun 6pm
Matinees: Sat 4pm, Sun 2pm
Comedy Theatre, Melbourne
It takes a lot to shock an audience these days – although wobbling flab on makeover TV shows is quite disturbing. But we’re really quite OK with mild horror scenes and transvestites bubbling with sexual innuendo – ingredients that whipped a ‘70s audience into a frenzy when Rocky Horror hit the big screen.
If you weren’t old enough in the ‘70s to be dancing the Time Warp at parties, then the Rocky Horror phenomenon might be a bit of a mystery. Shock-value: gone. Weirdness: well, everyone has a pair of fishnets somewhere, don’t they?
Rocky Horror’s eccentric allure has survived for two reasons: the music is fantastic, and the show is a hoot. After all these years the soundtrack still stands up as some of the best music around, and the wicked, wicked ways of Frank’n’Furter are a not-so-guilty pleasure now.
Tim Curry’s big screen portrayal of Frank’n’Furter is etched in my Rocky Horror consciousness and as I watched the fabulous iOta stamp his stilettos and swing his hips in this stage version, I was struck by how closely he mirrored the wonderfully camp Curry. iOta’s intonation in particular was practically identical, but the similarity felt right and he played Frank with a delicious decadence that surpassed the film characterisation. He was so damned sexy, and wow, what a voice!
If music is at the transsexual heart of Rocky Horror, then the voices of the cast propelled the production into Transylvanian heaven. Kellie Rode (Janet) and Andrew Bevis (Brad) gave an honey-sweet rendition of the classic Damnit Janet – aided by a (not so sweet) outstanding ensemble cast. Freakish siblings Magenta (Tamsin Carroll) - since replaced by Anne Wood - and Riff Raff (Paul Capsis) prowled the stage with menace: Capsis, in particular, was magnificently morose as Frank's butler. Together with Sharon Millerchip’s (Columbia’s) show-stealing tap dancing, the pair brought the house down with the pelvic-thrusting Time Warp - twice!
Director Gale Edwards has side-stepped more classical productions like the Royal Shakespeare Company’s The Taming of the Shrew to add her own wicked twist to this kitsch sci-fi musical. The cartoon-like set is pared-back and macabre – a perfect backdrop for the seductive B-grade movie. Needless to say, there is a flurry of ripped fishnets – stalking the stalls as well as the stage.
Songs like the gorgeously provocative I'm Just a Sweet Transvestite and the hauntingly beautiful Over at the Frankenstein Place once again have a place on Melbourne's stage proving we never tire of re-vamps of the vamps in fishnets. So get yourself up to the lab for a raunchy ride with Rocky. It’s wicked, it’s wild - it’s astounding!
Judith Hatton, Arts & Events Editor, Citysearch (18 September performance)
For more information go to the Rocky Horror Show official site. Bookings at Ticketek.
Tell us what you think
22 comments
Rhiannon: Amazingly Funny =DDD WANT TO GO SEE IT AGAIN!!! (01 November 2008)
Sally: Saw the show saturday night(25th October)and absolutely loved it. So much So, we have booked tickets to see it again. It's Monday and I am still on a high and singing to songs to myself. If you are a Rocky fan you will not be disappointed (27 October 2008)
Sally: Saw the show saturday night(25th October)and absolutely loved it. So much So, we have booked tickets to see it again. It's Monday and I am still on a high and singing to songs to myself. If you are a Rocky fan you will not be disappointed (27 October 2008)
Kate: i saw a few mintues of the show on the internet, but i don't know what to think of it. i doesn't look as good as the real rocky horror movie, so i dont know if i would go see the show. for now i will stick with watching the movie :) (26 October 2008)
chris in Tassie: saw it back in 74 and saw it on the 15th of October, loved it both times, brilliant cast this time round, you guys just gotta make a dvd or cd. we'd all buy it for sure, have to see it again b4 it finishes. big fan here (25 October 2008)
Chris in Tassie: loved it back in 1974 and loved it last week 15th october, what a brilliant cast, you guys have to release a dvd or cd, please, everyone that see's the show would certainly buy it. a bigRHS fan...xxxx (25 October 2008)
Angus: I've never seen Rocky Horror but after watching this video I can't wait to go. Thanks Citysearch (25 October 2008)
Mikey: I loved this show. Great music. Great band. (25 October 2008)
Jess: Iota and Paul Capsis were FANTASTIC. So was the band (25 October 2008)
Carree: Being a HUGE Rocky Horror tragic, i thought no-one could emulate Tim Curry. Well MR IOAT take a bow my friend. You are BRILLIANT. So good ive got front row for the last performance.Great cast,OUTSTANDING BAND,a must see.Best production EVER. 17/10/08 (18 October 2008)
CHLOE: HI I AM 12 YEARS OLD AND ME AND MY MUM WANT TO GO TO THE SHOW (17 October 2008)
Bob: OmG I'm going to see the stage production and i am soo excited I've seen the original movie and loved it now in just 7 days i get to seee the actual stage production... (12 October 2008)
pat: I love this show and i especially love tamsin carroll she was awsome. so was everyone else !!! go see it (11 October 2008)
Seanie: Saw it last night & loved it! The dancers were definately hot, one in particular but I'm havin trouble findin info on him coz he's not one of the main characters (I've looked on the official website but no luck)... Anyone got any suggestions where else I should look??? (09 October 2008)
nicole: omg i loved it sooo much and the dancers were hot :P (06 October 2008)
josee: i luved iOTA and paul capsis it was the best musical of the centry i absolutely am hooked to the movee now lol (04 October 2008)
BenB: I agree - ioata was like tim curry in the movie version. Outstanding performance by everyone. (28 September 2008)
madmickmac: obviouisly tou have only seen the movie version. It was a stage play first and this looks like it has it's own flavour. can't wait to see it. (22 September 2008)
Jen: It's great to see this show back in Melbourne. Iota and Paul Capsis were AMAZING! (21 September 2008)
Annalee: I've only ever seen the movie, never had the chance to see the stage show, but from that preview I desperately want to see it. The costumes look so elaborate and the guy who is playing Frank - oh my gosh... sounds so much like Curry! I can't wait to go see it, if I ever get the chance! (19 September 2008)
poopoo: that is nothin like the rocky horror picture show ill hav to give this a no ps im the biggest rhps fan eva (18 September 2008)
stephy: its a bit rich to go and see it the price should be a little bit cheaper and theyd get more people going to see it i love the movie and im only 15 and i am dying to see the stage show and i cant afford that much it would take me around 2-3 weeks to save up the money (17 September 2008)
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