Stocking and suspender-clad Rocky Horror devotees, along with a few brave souls wearing nothing more than gold lamé shorts and a coy smile, descended on Manchester last night to celebrate the cult classic’s 40th birthday.
As a huge Rocky Horror fan I was full of an-tici-paaation to relieve the musical which recounts the infamous day when Brad and Janet’s car breaks down and their subsequent madcap antics within Frank-n-Furter’s castle.
From the first note of Science Fiction/Double Feature fans were transported to a movie theatre setting and invited to give themselves over to absolute pleasure which they did with gay abandon.
Former child star Dani Harmer well and truly left her Tracy Beaker days behind her as she stepped into the pastel Mary Janes of Janet Weiss.
She performed the innocent college girl demeanour with ease before ramping it up with her hilariously saucy bedroom antics.
A special mention should go to Dancing On Ice’s 2011 winner Sam Attawater who gave a loveably geeky interpretation of Brad Majors.
But the irrefutable star of the show was Oliver Thornton who was absolutely sensational in the part of Frank-n-Furter.
He has the full lycra-clad package; being obscenely attractive, a superb singer, dancer and comedian who made the audience go wild from his very first high-heeled step on stage.
Philip Franks played the part of the Narrator superbly delivering deadpan monologues interspersed with saucy audience shout outs – a far cry from his sombre roles in Heartbeat and The Darling Buds of May.
The audience were singing and dancing in the aisles from the very first note of timeless hits such as Hot Patooties – Bless My Soul, Touch-A, Touch-A and the Time Warp.
If you love having the opportunity to dress outrageously and get involved in the cultural phenomenonthat that is Rocky Horror, then this is the perfect night out for you.
Life has certainly begun at 40 for the Rocky Horror Show, and here’s to many more raucous years to come!
For more information, or to book tickets call 0844 871 3019 or visit www.atgtickets.com/manchester (booking fee applies).
Pictures courtesy of Manuel Harlan, with thanks
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