Rocky Horror Not So Horrible
Richard O'Brien's classic musical gets a new look in Toronto revival
We've all done the Time Warp at one time or another - whether you want to admit it or not.
"It's just a jump to the left...and then a step to the right..."
Those words will either get your heart pumping or your blood boiling. One of the most familiar and popular songs of the last 30 years, The Time Warp can be described simply as "fun". That description is how most would sum up their experience at The Rocky Horror Show, now playing as part of CanStage's 2006-2007 season.
The show begins before the first note is played, as the Phantoms (David Lopez, Karen Burthwright, Dena Chiarcossi, and Caden Douglas) arrive in the theatre to put the audience off kilter, when Eddie Glen comes onto the stage to introduce the piece and to take care of the "virgins" in the audience.
What transpires over the next 2 hours is non-stop wackiness and fun, but one has to ask - why has this show survived? In an age when the mega-musical exists and has been thriving, it's amazing to think that a show that is one of the most far fetched and surreal theatrical experiences out there, would pack in the audiences with not only die hard fans, but the subscription base of CanStage, which is one of the oldest audiences in the city of Toronto.
Most know the story of The Rocky Horror Show - Brad and Janet are on their way to see Dr. Evrett Scott after getting engaged, when their car breaks down. They find an old house and are welcomed in by Riff Raff. In the house, Brad and Janet meet Magenta, Columbia and Dr. Frank 'n' Furter, known to all as the "sweet transvestite". Frank 'n' Furter takes Brad and Janet on an exploration of their own sexualities, while trying to win over the heart of his latest creation, Rocky.
The cast are all strong, including a stellar performance by Adam Brazier as Frank 'n' Furter, and equally as strong performances by Steven Gallagher and Alison Somerville as Riff Raff and Magenta, respectively.
Eddie Glen has some very funny moments as Eddie and Dr. Evrett Scott, and both Ron Pederson and Mairi Babb are great as the lovers, Brad and Janet.
One of the highlights though is the on-screen performance of John Neville as the Narrator. He is smooth and slick as the man leading us through the story of Frank 'n' Furter and his alien friends, and there is not a more outrageous moment when, during the curtain call, Neville makes one more on screen appearance to take a "bow" in fishnets and a speedo. It's hard to imagine how much they had to pay him to don that garb.
Ted Dykstra helms the production, and along with his creative team, has a very slick and stylish production on their hands. Each piece fits perfectly, with one major exception. The sound design by John Bent Jr. is one of the worst of the year. At times, the cast is completely drowned out by the band, and at other times, totally incomprehensible. It's disheartening to know that the folks at CanStage have let this major piece slip, considering some of the other shows they have had in the space at the St. Lawrence Centre, including Hair, Ain't Misbehavin', and Urinetown. Lucky for them though, the audience doesn't seem to mind. A good portion of the audience were dressed for the evening, with fishnet stockings and teenage boys in dresses being the most popular attire, and so it's not surprising that they didn't mind the problems with the sound.
Is The Rocky Horror Show a good show? No. It's a show that's filled with plot holes and general tomfoolery, but you'd be hard pressed to find a show like it in Toronto these days - a show that you can shout at the actors, a show that you can get up in the aisles and dance, and a show that is so silly and ridiculous that you can't help but love it, and trust me, you'll love it. You'll love it, and you WILL do the Time Warp again.
The Rocky Horror Show
Produced by CanStage
Now playing until May 5th
*** (out of five)
For ticket and show information, click here.
