Cult show cooking on gas

The Rocky Horror Show, Palace, Manchester

A ROWDY audience slipped on their stockings and headed to the welcome return of the “Rocky Horror Show” last night.

The long-running British musical, written by Richard O’Brien and developed with Australian theatre director Jim Sharman, first opened in London in June, 1973.

It soon acquired cult status and inspired the 1975 film with noted actors Susan Sarandon and Tim Curry in the lead roles.

Despite its limited release, both the film and stage show have built a firm following of loyal fans who love its parody of the science fiction and B-movie genres.

The plot follows newly-engaged couple Brad and Janet who find themselves lost and with a flat tyre on a cold and rainy evening. The couple seek refuge in a near-by castle and are soon drawn into a world of bizarre characters and new experiences.

The small cast of 14 were a joy to watch, giving a show-stopping performance to a very appreciative crowd.

TV cook Ainsley Harriott, who played the narrator, was a real stand-out performer and his larger-than-life personality proved perfect for the role. He managed to mix his script with witty one-liners and quick responses to the heckling crowd.

Star of the show David Bella is always impressive as crazy transvestite Frank ‘N’ Furter. Brad and Janet are played superbly by Richard Meek and Haley Flaherty, and switch effortlessly from performing mild-mannered love songs to belting rock ’n’roll classics.

And the audience agreed by giving the cast a standing ovation long before the final “Time Warp” of the evening had them dancing out of the door.