Review: Rocky Horror Show at Sunderland Empire

Follow North East Theatre Guide on Twitter at https://twitter.com/NETheatreGuide and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NETheatreGuide. Read about JoWhereToGo and its PR and photography services here.

About the most fun you can have with your clothes on, almost!

The Rocky Horror Show

Sunderland Empire

Until Saturday 20^th February 2016

Richard O’Brien’s homage to the late night b-movie sci-fi double bill is a deliciously fun mix of tongue in cheek jokes and entertaining songs.

Little Voice’s Diana Vickers and Emmerdale’s Ben Freeman appear as the hapless teen couple Janet and Brad. They are lost, their spare tyre needs blowing up when they need it most on a stormy night. They decide to head back to the castle that they had just passed in order to use their phone and summon help.

Butler Riff Raff (Kristian Lavercombe) opens the door and welcomes them in. They come to the immediate attention of Magenta (Kay Murphy) and Columbia (Sophie Linder-Lee) and before they know it they are dancing the Time Warp.

The master of the house, Frank N Furter (Liam Tamne) has no intention of letting them go and before they know it they meet zombie rocker Eddie (Zachary Morris) and his replacement, created by Fran N Furter, Rocky (Dominic Andersen).

Usually in a musical it is expected that the audience only clap at the end of the musical numbers. They shouldn’t sing along or interrupt the proceedings. But the Rocky Horror Show is no normal musical. It doesn’t so much as break the fourth wall, it smashes it to pieces. The audience joined in with the first song Science Fiction/Double Feature, danced to the Time Warp and added smart quips to the narration by Steve Punt.

There are no weak points in the singing abilities of this cast, which has not always been the case. They are enjoying the show and this helps bring a real warmth to the proceedings. The live band, under Musical Director Ben Van Tienen, don’t miss a beat from their perch above the stage. 

Liam Tamne is wonderful as Frank N Furter. Whilst he owned the stage with his performance, their was a deliious vulnerability to both his voice and interpretation of the role.

Diana Vickers and Sophie Linder-Lee were also given opportunity to use their vocal abilities to great effect.

The dance routines, choreographed by Nathan M Wright, are fabulous and fun. Dominic Andersen deserves special mention for his push up antics.

The set design by Hugh Durrant is highly effective at allowing the action to flow without interruption.

Tim Curry and co, from the film, leave big shoes to fill but this cast is more than up to the job. The show feels inclusive and entertaining. It is a great tribute to the late night movies. This production of The Rocky Horror Show is charming and not corny, provocative without being tasteless. It leaves the audience with a big grin on their faces.

“Take a step to the left…”

This review was written by Stephen Oliver for the North East Theatre Guide from Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo

Read the North East Theatre Guide preview: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/preview-rocky-horror-show-at-sunderland.html

Tickets:

Tickets available in person at Sunderland Empire Box Office, by calling 0844 871 3022* or by booking online at www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland* plus a transaction fee applies.

The Rocky Horror Show 2015 / 2016 UK Tour Dates

15 – 20 February 2016                     Sunderland: Empire Theatre                       0844 871 3022   

22 – 27 February 2016                     Southampton:  Mayflower Theatre          0238 071 1811

29 February – 5 March 2016         Wimbledon: New Wimbledon Theatre    0844 871 7646

07 – 12 March 2016                          Torquay: Princess Theatre                           0844 871 3023

14 – 19 March 2016                          Bradford: Alhambra Theatre                        0127 443 2000

28 March – 2 April 2016                  Edinburgh: Playhouse Theatre                    0844 871 3014

4 – 9 April 2016                                  Belfast: Grand Opera House                        028 9024 1919   

11 – 16 April 2016                             York: Opera House                                        0844 871 3024

18 – 23 April 2016                             Aylesbury: Waterside Theatre                    0844 871 7607

25 – 30 April 2016                             Nottingham: Theatre Royal                         0115 989 5555

02 – 07 May 2016                              Richmond: Richmond Theatre                    0844 871 7651   

23 – 28 May 2016                              Stoke: Regent Theatre                                  0844 871 7649

27 June - 2 July 2016                       Woking: New Victoria Theatre                    0844 871 7645  

11 – 16 July 2015                               Watford: Watford Colosseum                    01923 571 102

18 – 23 July 2016                               Bristol: Hippodrome                                      0844 871 7652

8 – 13 August 2016                           Glasgow: King’s Theatre                               0844 871 7648