Rocky Horror Show – New Wimbledon Theatre, Wimbledon

Writer: Richard O’Brien
Director: Christopher Luscombe

Reviewer: Christine Stanton

“Fun & Playful“

4 / 5

Rocky Horror Show has comfortably solidified itself as a cult classic, attracting dedicated fans to every performance, decked out in appropriate outfits and prepared for the multitude of audience participation sections where they immerse themselves into the script.

The well-known (but pretty scarce) storyline is a spoof of B-movie sci-fi and horror genres, focusing on young, fresh-faced couple Brad (Connor Carson) and Janet (Stacey Monahan) who wind up at a creepy castle after their car breaks down. At the helm of the eccentric characters inside is Frank N Furter (Jason Donovan) donned in high heels, fishnets and a skin-tight corset, ready to reveal the fabulous science experiment he’s created – the perfect man. His unveiling of the muscled Adonis, Rocky (Morgan Jackson) is received well by the castle’s residents, who are all as equally scantily clad and high-spirited as Frank. Quickly realising it won’t be an easy escape, Brad & Janet decide to bed down in the castle, in more ways than one!

It’s a brilliantly fun, vibrant and energising show, that constantly keeps the audience completely enraptured by the on-stage shenanigans. The cast fantastically ham up the camp humour of the show, with Donovan especially doing a fabulous job at showcasing his characters lively and debaucherous lifestyle, flirting and toying with each of the characters, his confident and playful mannerisms making him a perfect casting choice. Equally engaging is narrator Nathan Caton who exudes natural humour from the moment he walks on stage. His polished delivery and hilarious responses to the audience participation are impeccable, never missing a beat to deliver a humorous quip or entertaining comeback. Job Greuter’s creepy Riff-Raff and Jayme-Lee Zanoncell’s vivacious Columbia allow their characters to shine, while Carson and Monahan show a brilliant transformation from beginning to end.

Hugh Durrant’s set design is fabulously in keeping with the theme – bold, bright and glitzy it immediately captures attenion, as does Sue Blane’s eye-catchingly outrageous costume design. With audiences encouraged to shout key lines in unison, and the actors on stage perfectly choreographed, there is a constant sense of fun and community, that makes it hard not to leave the theatre beaming (and doing the Time Warp) the whole journey home.

Runs until 5^th July 2025