Theatre Review: The Rocky Horror Picture Show

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

A St Andrews Musical Theatre Society Production

Byre Theatre, St Andrews

1/11/24 - 2/11/24

Directed by Tess McCartney

Produced by Rowan Kehrer

Written by Richard O’Brien

Review by Noor Zohdy

Scintillating, bawdy, addictive, and hilariously funny, the St Andrews Musical Theatre Society production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show was a world of its own. Framed by the wry, understated narration by the criminologist (Matthew Colquhoun), when neatly conventional and newly engaged Brad (Cameron Wiggs) and Janet (Bella Yow) are left stranded by a terrible storm, they are taken in by Dr. Frank N’ Furter (Rebeca Ravara). In his eerie mansion, the two meet a medley of wild, sexually carefree, and unforgettable characters including Dr Frank-N-Furter’s latest creation, ‘Rocky’ (Henry Huron).

The ribald world of Rocky came to life by the spectacular costuming of Alex Chun and Elouisa Cairns, the dizzying vivid lighting of Luke Lynch and the riotously mesmerising choreography of Helena Rothery. Frank N’ Furter and Eddie (Adam Mercer) were a spectacle to behold. In a glittering scarlet corset with matching gloves and face paint, Eddie’s opening performance was among my favourite moments of the production. Frank N’ Furter’s abundant theatricality and overflowing stage presence from beginning to end had me constantly on the verge of laughter and disbelief. With voices shouting out from the crowd and the dazzling ensemble (Ava Daniels, Philippa Tarr, Charlotte Black, Bella Hirst, Hannah Lam, and Aiden Yertayev) casting flirtatious waves from the stairs along the audience, watching Rocky was hardly an option. The evening of debauchery came from all four corners of the stage, with the audience given lines to shout out in mockery of the characters and little paper bags of odd things to throw at the stage. An over-the-top whirlwind from start to finish, Rocky Horror Picture Show did absolute justice to the cult classic. I truly do believe I’ve never seen the Byre Theatre so entirely and spectacularly transformed.