The Rocky Horror Show (Tour – Sunderland)

Clad in fishnets and suspenders, a spectrum of Sunderland’s theatre-goers are flocking to the Empire to heckle the Narrator (Philip Franks), drool over Rhydian’s astonishing muscles and cackle gleefully for Frank N Furter.

The show could be quite dire and the audience would still lap it up, such is the thirst for this 40th anniversary production, which shows no sign of losing its charm.

Thankfully, the production is far from dire; the singing is on the note, the dancing is well choreographed and there’s amble opportunity to do the Time Warp again.

The plot (if you can say it has one really) brings an innocent couple to the home of a transvestite alien, who end up getting more then they bargain for; all they want is to use the telephone but come away having had their eyes opened to another world.

Understudy Andrew Ahern was thrust into the spotlight as Frank N Furter, in place of Oliver Thornton for the evening. Playing a mischievous rather than devious Frank, he worked the stage (and the heels) like he’d been performing each night.

Ben Forster and Roxanne Pallett are a convincing choice as Brad and Janet and seem to win the audience’s approval; no easy job. But Ahern quite easily steals the show.

With adult content not for the easily offended, The Rocky Horror Show continues to delight its many fans and this production will do nothing but stir more enthusiasm for it to continue for another 40 years.