With a little over a year since the first Sydney run of the 50th Anniversary Production, Rocky Horror Show is back at the Theatre Royal in Sydney. Featuring mostly the same cast and staging (check out last year’s recap here), this production has kept the momentum going after five decades of this outrageously naughty sci-fi musical.
One of the most significant changes in this production is the casting of the Narrator. Dylan Alcott is in the role from 31 March 2024 and Pete Helliar takes the reigns from 18 April 2024. In this particular performance, Alcott played the Narrator, and he absolutely kicked it out of the park. Well-rehearsed and prepared for any type of heckling (which is both welcome and antici-pated), Alcott took it all in his stride and embraced everything that is Rocky Horror. It was a joy to see Alcott going off-script and fully embracing his self-deprecating humour which audiences have come to know and love.
Other ‘newcomers’ included Blake Bowden as Brad. And wow, Bowden has a beautiful presence on stage and a captivating set of pipes that are showcased in ‘Once in a while’. Daniel Erbacher plays Rocky, with the body to match, radiant in body glitter, bounds across the stage merrily in ‘The Sword of Damocles’ and throughout. The returning cast members were as talented as remembered from last year (see link above) and nothing has changed on that front. All-round excellent casting is so essential in a musical such as this and it has been undeniably achieved.
The show’s star, Jason Donovan, once again proved that he was really made for the role of Frank N Furter. And it was obvious he was having a great time on stage, barely keeping his composure during the bedroom scenes with Brad and Janet (Deirdre Khoo). This may be the last time we see Donovan in the wig and fishnets which makes this show run quite bittersweet.
The ‘new’ production of the 50th Anniversary Rocky Horror Show is definitely worth a re-visit (if you were lucky enough to see it last year). It’s also never too late to go if it’s your first time, because damn it, Janet was a virgin too.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Rocky Horror Show is playing at the Theatre Royal in Sydney until 12 May 2024. For more information and how to purchase tickets head here.
Reviewer attended the Gala Performance on 3 April 2024.
Picture Credit: Wendell-Teodoro- Getty Images
