"The Rocky Horror Show"

Nottingham Royal Concert Hall

YES! It's back! The sexiest rock 'n' roll musical on earth is back at the Nottingham Royal Concert Hall. Only this show can attract as many people as it does almost 50 years from its' creation by Richard O' Brien. I have only seen the show about six times but it still fills me with antici......pation!

For anyone who is either not old enough or has been living under a stone for the last 50 years, the story is thus. Two squeaky clean college kids – Brad and his fiancée Janet's car breaks down outside a creepy mansion whilst on their way to visit their former college professor, they meet the charismatic Dr Frank’n’Furter, who invites them to stay, where they meet many interesting characters throughout the night. A night filled with fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity.

Ore Oduba plays Brad Majors. Ore gets to show off all of those brilliant dance moves that made him the winner of the 14th series of Strictly Come Dancing. And he has a pretty smooth voice to match the dance moves as well

Haley Flaherty is Janet, who also has a great voice to match Ore's. There is an awful lot of weird similarities with Haley's Janet and another role that she has played onstage, that of Sandy in "Grease", and I even noticed, just before "Toucha Toucha Touch Me", the phrase, "Tell me about it Janet". Similar to when Sandy was transformed into "Sexy Sandy" and we heard, "Tell me about it, stud". Or is that just me? What a transformation from frigid Janet, to naughty Janet!

Philip Franks, is a well-recognised star of stage, TV and radio, is The Narrator. This is a role that has been taken on by so many a well-known star, adept at the well-rehearsed, off the cuff ad-lib, as well as the back-and-forth audience interaction. Unfortunately, the audience had not received their copy of the audience section of the script and they were often late, or even missed. This I felt Philip adapted to but you could tell that he was waiting for the audience come back. Some excellent topical comments from Phil, especially loved the comments about a certain Royal and pizza, plus what the Narrator's only job was during lockdown! Phil's role is up there with the best of the narrators that I have seen.

Kristian Lavercombe continues his long running role as the wonderful Riff Raff, and what can I say? Never missing a cue, a step, a note. The perfect Riff Raff, then again I can't remember seeing anyone else but Kristian in this role, and possibly can't. As good as the original Mr O' Brien.

Stephen Webb is our sweet transvestite, transexual from Transylvania, Dr Frank N Furter. It's a brave man who steps into those stacked shoes, stockings, suspender belt and basque, as there have been so many incredible actors who have gone before him. I enjoyed Steve's performance but I have seen other Franks that I have thought slightly better. It may not be fair to make comparisons with those that have gone before, but after the power-house of a performance that Duncan James gave last year, Steve had big stiletto's to fill. For me there was just something missing and I can't put my finger on it.

Ben Westhead is the square-jawed Rocky. A personal trainer who obviously knows how to look after his body and can rock a pair of leopard skin pants. This is his first professional UK Tour as an adult, but with his voice, dancing ability and looks, I am sure the UK will be seeing more of him, not that there was much left to the imagination as Rocky!

Lauren Ingram is Columbia and we have to wait until Act Two to discover what a powerful voice she owns, as well as a brilliant line in comic acting.

Joe Allen doubles up as Eddie and Dr Scott. Two under-rated roles in my opinion. Secondary they may be but both parts so different and opposing that you get to see Joe's character acting very clearly. It's a good job that Dr Scott is in a wheel chair as so much energy is exuded as Eddie, he needs a sit down to get his breath back!

Suzie McAdam plays Magenta, and oh what a voice Suzie has. Doubling as the Usherette, we get to hear two different singing styles from Suzie, and what fun that turns out to be.

The Phantoms were Reece Budin, Darcy Finden, Jordan Fox and Rachel Grundy.

Directed by Christopher Luscombe, this is fast, frantic, frothy, fleshy and filthy and I loved it.

The soundtrack for this musical is legendary. "Damn It Janet", "There's A Light On Over At Frankenstein's Place", "Sweet Transvestite", "Toucha, Toucha, Toucha Touch Me", "I'm Going Home" and of course "The Timewarp". All under the Musical Direction of Greg Arrowsmith.

Classic choreography, thanks to Nathan M Wright, amazing costumes by Sue Blane, brilliant Set Design by Hugh Durrant, spectacular Lighting Design by Nick Richings and crystal-cut Sound Design thanks to Gareth Owen. I must also mention the wigs and make up courtesy of Darren Ware.

"The Rocky Horror Show" is at the Nottingham Royal Concert Hall until Sunday 15 August. Get your tickets for this fiendishly, frightfully good fun-fest, and on that note, I think I may have used up all of my effing alliteration skills