Rocky Horror Show – Hull New Theatre

A reviewer’s job is not without risks and the sights I saw on Monday evening at the Hull New Theatre will probably scar me for life.

Males in fishnet stockings and suspenders, strutting around in stiletto heels. Some were even wearing make-up – shock, horror.

But that’s enough about the audience.

The Rocky Horror Show was in town, performing to theatregoers who were obviously determined to get into the spirit of the well-known madcap production; hence the proliferation of fishnets, maids’ outfits, gold lamé top hats and tails, long black cloaks and black lacy costumes in many different designs, mainly worn by the females in the audience.

There can’t be a person on this planet, or even off the planet, who hasn’t heard of Richard O’Brien’s infamous rock ’n’ roll musical and the story of squeaky clean college kids, Brad and Janet, and a night neither of them (or us for that matter) will ever forget.

This latest production returns to the city as part of a new world tour and for those who haven’t seen it, it literally is out of this world.

For openers, in front of a ruched velvet stage curtain, a 1950s-style cinema usherette (Natasha Hoeberigs), sings Science Fiction Double Feature, a tribute to, and send up of, many science fiction B movies and series – and it’s in this song our two aforementioned squeaky cleans get a first mention.

And when the curtain opens, the two lovebirds are riding in their car (a large cartoon-type design), on their way to meet up with their former college professor, Dr Scott (a dual role for Edward Bullingham, who also plays his son, Eddie, a visitor to the mansion).

But suddenly the car grinds to a halt in the middle of nowhere.

Bespectacled Brad (Alex Hetherington), and virginal Janet (Lauren Chia), get out of their car, only for Brad to surprise his girl with a ring and a declaration of love.

Looking around, they notice they have broken down outside of a creepy-looking mansion and when Brad rings the bell to get the use of a telephone, they are drawn into an adventure, or maybe misadventure, of a lifetime.

The stage setting now changes to interior mode, with a velvet bench and not much else. It’s here we catch a glimpse of the talented musicians (behind a huge film reel up high) who, throughout the production, play the music to the dozen or so songs, including Dammit Janet, Sweet Transvestite and, of course, the unforgettable Time Warp, to name just three.

Narrating the story of Brad and Janet’s sexual awakening (for that is how their night turns out), is Nathan Caton, a very respectable looking and smart individual who hilariously gives more than he gets from the hecklers in the audience. And reveals a lot more of himself later on!

Dr Frank N Furter (Adam Strong) owns the mansion, run by two faithful lackeys, Riff Raff (Job Greuter) and his sister Magenta (a dual role for Natasha Hoeberigs).

Big, muscular Strong looked magnificent in his stockings, suspenders, bustier, and stiletto heels which had him towering over everyone on stage.

His deep voice, both singing and talking, resonated with a suggestive flirtatiousness that Janet and Brad both unwittingly succumbed to, in hilarious bedroom frolics (hence the age guidance of 14+).

The doctor surrounds himself with minions, including the flame-haired Columbia (Jayme-Lee Zanoncelli) who is madly in love with him.

Frank N Furter’s laboratory featuring weird machines that would look perfect in a comic book, holds the key to his experimentation, and his creation Rocky (Morgan Jackson), who has the least to wear on the night, just a pair of leopard skin budgie smugglers on his muscular body. His back-flipping energy knew no bounds.

All the above, plus a few scary-looking phantoms, contributed to a rip-roaring night of unashamed sexual nonsense that had us, in the not so full theatre, in stitches.

Hetherington and Chia as the “happily” defiled young couple were perfect in their roles – he as a nerdy looking student and her with a shining bob of hair, and wearing a chaste summer dress. They had wonderful singing voices, too.

Greuter’s Riff Raff was an unmistakable figure with his long blonde hair and faltering gait. His appearance always elicited much laughter from the audience. And all becomes clear when his and his naughty sister Magenta’s true identities are revealed.

Zanoncelli’s lovelorn Columbia was energy personified, especially when zapped with the doctor’s special gas – talk about a rag doll on steroids!

But it’s the towering presence of Adam Strong as Frank N Furter that is the Rocky Horror Show glue. He is fabulous to look at, commandeering the stage with a predatory swagger and an evil, lecherous grin revealing beautiful white teeth – all the better to eat you with (oops, sorry, wrong story).

And at the show’s end, most of the audience stood, not only to applaud the super-talented cast and musicians, but to join in with them as they did the final Time Warp of the night.

Rocky Horror Show runs until 19th July at Hull New Theatre with tickets available at www.hulltheatres.co.uk or (01482) 300306.

Reviewer: Jackie Foottit

Reviewed: 14th July 2025

North West End UK Rating: