The Rocky Horror Show | UK Tour 2024 / 2025
Written by Richard O'Brien | Directed by Christopher Luscombe
Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow | 29 October 2024 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Richard O'Brien's legendary musical The Rocky Horror Show has been playing around the world for a remarkable 50 years. Since its premier in 1973 the show has been seen by an estimated 30 million people, and it continues to thrill audiences with a new UK Tour production and cast for 2024 / 2025.
The Rocky Horror Show is the timeless story of two wholesome college kids, Brad and Janet:
When their car breaks down on a dark, wet, night, Brad (Connor Carson) and Janet (Lauren Chia) seek help at the home (a mysterious castle!) of the dazzling Dr Frank-N-Furter (Stephen Webb.)
As Brad and Janet learn more about their host, his staff and guests, they discover that they have arrived on "a very special night": Frank is about to enact his plans to create a man (with blonde hair, and a tan.) Cue mystery, mahem, madcap musical numbers and more than a little bit of sexual tension.
Fifty years old it may be, but thankfully there is nothing in this show to date it. The book is bonkers and the characters and their storylines are uniquely 'Rocky Horror.' But a musical can only run for as long as this one has if the music is good. And Richard O'Brien's score is magnificent.
The soundtrack includes some of my favourite songs of all time. Science Fiction / Double Feature sets the scene perfectly, Dammit Janet is always brilliant fun, and The Time Warp became a chart hit in its own right during the 1980s and 90s. Don't dream it, Be it, I'm going home, and Superheroes remain some of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard.
Richard O'Brien penned this entire soundtrack in the early 1970s and I stand by my opinion that the man is a genius. There are so many quotable lines and beautiful moments throughout the score; his writing is nothing less than poetry.
The new cast for the 2024 / 2025 UK Tour of the Rocky Horror Show may be new faces to many in the audience but they look and sound as if they belong in the roles. Particularly strong, Lauren Chia's Janet and Connor Carson's Brad have absolutely stunning voices. The pair lead the show admirably, and are just as good as any other Brad and Janet I've seen. Jayme-Lee Zanoncelli's Columbia is a firecracker - so fun and spirited. Casting for this show ALWAYS get it spot on.
With the difficult job of filling the sensational Kristian Lavercombe's shoes as Riff Raff, Job Greuter owns the iconic Richard O'Brien role and makes it his own. He sings the songs and pronounces the words slightly differently to both Lavercombe and O'Brien, but his voice is powerful and his stage presence is exactly what's needed from the time-warping butler. Everyone will have their preference of course, but there's no denying Greuter delivers.
Jason Donovan was highly billed to play Frank-n-Furter in Glasgow but was replaced last minute on Tuesday evening due to illness. The magnificent Mr Stephen Webb stepped into Frank's fishnets for the night and wow, he is simply sublime. Having seen him in the role before, I know that Webb is one of the best Frank's EVER, and thankfully, despite some initial disappointment from the sold-out audience - many of whom had come specifically to see Donovan - the crowd were just as appreciative of his talents.
Webb's Frank is gorgeous, confident, sexy, funny - a breathtaking Frank and an outstanding performer. I for one am delighted to have had the opportunity to see him nail this fabulous role once again.
As always, Frank's accent was all over the place: A little bit of Texas maybe, a little English, a lot confused. But so was Tim Curry's accent in the film. Frank-n-Furter is a sweet transvestite from Transexual, Transylvania - who knows what he should sound like.
Playing the narrator in Glasgow, London comedian Nathan Caton brought high energy, risque jokes and a fresh fearlessness to the challenging role.
The fan-filled Glasgow audience were on point with their call-backs and heckles, and Caton was well-prepared and never rattled. His performance was confident, brave and hilarious - he'd obviously done his research and managed to squeeze in more than a few local references that had the appreciative crowd in hysterics.
The constant cycling of narrators is one of the many reasons that the Rocky Horror Show can be enjoyed time and time again. Every narrator brings their own jokes and injects their own personality to the role, and with different audiences and the potential that anything could happen, you really will see a slightly different show each time. I laughed more at this Rocky Horror performance than I have done for years - and that was down to Caton's original jokes and charisma. A brilliant narrator.
Also outstanding for this production, the lighting from Nick Richings is stunning. Colourful, bright, perfectly placed and timed - the lighting really stood out to me as something that added a richness and quality to entire show.
With its glorious soundtrack and madcap, manic storyline, the Rocky Horror Show continues to be a guaranteed party and one of the most unique and fun nights out you can have at the theatre. Despite all the craziness, constant audience interaction and boisterousness, the Rocky Horror Show is a really well written piece of musical theatre. The enthusiastic, loyal following of fans is sure to keep Rocky going for another 50 years. Give yourself over to absolute pleasure and go join in!
⭐⭐⭐⭐
📸 Production photo credit: Daniel Boud
The Rocky Horror Show plays at The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow from Mon 28 October - Sat 2 Nov.
Glasgow Pavilion Theatre
28 October - 2 November 2024 *Jason Donovan will not perform on 28th October
🎟️ Tickets available from £21
Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre
20 - 25 January 2025
🎟️ Tickets available from £22
The Rocky Horror Show NEW UK Tour Cast 2024 / 2025
REVIEW: Rocky Horror Show UK Tour, new cast 2024, Pavilion Theatre Glasgow October 2024. Stephen Webb, Jason Donovan, Richard O'Brien.
🎟️ Disclosure: I was invited to review this show and received a complimentary ticket in exchange. Whether I am invited or not has absolutely no impact on my reviews or star ratings.
Spot on, super review. I very much enjoyed the cast and loved Job Greuter's "happy" Riff Raff.