The Rocky Horror Show

Milton Keynes Theatre

Reviewed by Alison Smith

Well, The Rocky Horror Show is a ‘mind flip’ to beat all mind flips, and the MK Theatre audience certainly flipped tonight!  Many in the audience were sexily clad in stilettos and suspenders, boas and basques to rival the on-stage guests at Frank N Furter’s party; the audience even had the dance moves and kept The Narrator (Dom Joly) on his toes with their heckling (dealt with by Joly with skilful aplomb and topical repartée,
although at times looking slightly embarrassed).

 In 1973, Richard O’Brian’s Rocky Horror Show challenged audiences with its portrayal of sexual fluidity; now over 40 years later transgender issues have become mainstream and this spectacular musical entertains more than shocks.  And it entertains impressively because of its enduring mixture of Sci-Fi, horror and rock and roll. The show is visually stunning - a great set, atmospheric lighting, spectacular choreography, weird
and wonderful costumes; it is raunchy and surreal, but mostly just hilarious.

The plot itself is weak. Brad (Ben Adams) and his fiancée Janet (Joanna Clifton), clean college kids, seek help at the mansion of Frank N Furter, a crazy, cross-dressing scientist. That evening he is hosting a party to unveil
his new creation, gold booted, skimpily dressed, Rocky Horror (Callum Evans), a man to surpass all men, if only physically. And into Frank’s alternative sexual world come the naïve, geeky pair, who are both quickly seduced by Frank and enticed into his alien, ghoul filled universe, rather like a pantomime for consenting adults.

Frank is portrayed convincingly by Steven Webb. Webb is
wonderful as Frank. He has a powerful voice with a great range, sharp comic timing, and his movements and gestures are outrageously camp but throughout the musical he also manages to maintain an undercurrent of malevolence. His entourage are also exceptional, Riff Raff, the swaggering servant (Kristina Lavercombe) and Columbia (Miracle Chance) are both weird and wonderful.  All the cast throw themselves into their
roles with enthusiasm and energy and convey the idea that to be different from mainstream society is perfectly acceptable.

This musical, produced by Christopher Luscombe, is a real theatrical experience.  Long may it continue to entertain.

The Rocky Horror Show is at Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday 9th February

www.atgtickets.com

0844 871 7652

Booking fee applies

Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake

Reviewed by Alison Smith 30th January 2019

Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, is far removed from
traditional performances of this world famous ballet. The modern yet dateless
décor and costumes – a mobile phone rings but the settings are redolent of
trappings of passé courtly distinctions – underline the theme that broken
beings are universal, that tragedy strikes universally. In this society, the
Queen has power and privilege, the young men are dashing, the young women
beautiful and independent. And yet one young man is   very troubled. The Prince, the main
protagonist (Liam Mower) suffers. The Queen, his mother (Katrina Lyndon) is
cold and uncaring and rejects any physical contact with him – although she has
no such qualms about being touched by, or touching. other young men. His goofy
girlfriend (Carrie Willis) is shallow and materialistic. Is it then surprising
that the Prince looks for contact from another being? His mental turmoil leads
him to drink and despair and ultimately into the arms of The Swan, a powerful,
dominating creature whose tragic death leads that of the broken-hearted Prince.

The performance is not bleak. There is much wit and
humour – the girlfriend’s gaffes, the corgi, the dancing in the Swank Bar, the
desperate antics of the Queen, the caricature that is the Private Secretary
(Jordon Packer). But it is the dancing which is intoxicating and above all else
that of The Swan and his human form, the Stranger (Max Westwell). Westwell’s
technical skill and athleticism are remarkable. As The Swan he swoops, stomps
and hisses; as the Stranger in Act 3 he oozes virility and aggression; he
stalks and disrupts, an attitude which ultimately results in tragedy. His flock
are of his ilk – menacing and vicious. In the final act they are rat-like in
their appearance from under the bed, inside the bed and from the wings - their
ferality frightening and tragic.

Bourne’s
Swan Lake is thrilling and mesmerising. The dancing is both beautiful and

sinister; the representation of love and its possible
aftermath is heartfelt. It is an inspirational, powerful, passionate ballet. It
is a must-see.

 

At MK Theatre until Saturday 2nd February