Rocky Horror Show – Storyhouse

Rocky Horror Show stops off at Storyhouse this week as part of its UK tour, and it opened with a bang. If it’s a party evening you’re after, this is the show for you. With brilliant music, fantastic costumes (not just on the stage), great lighting and a cast that gives you everything and more, Rocky Horror Show ticks all the right boxes. With songs such as Sweet Transvestite and The Time Warp.

Brad and Janet are on their way home from a wedding when their car blows a tyre so they go to the nearest castle to ask if they have a telephone they can use and come across a ‘different’ group  of people where they find themselves dragged into a series of interesting events as the real identity of those living here become apparent.

The set designed by Hugh Durrant is very creative, all within what looks like a cinema reel and a huge cinema style curtain which opens to reveal different sets, which are then moved by cast and some stage crew, pretty undetectable as every scene change is smooth and perfect. The costumes are incredible, from the Phantoms to the fantastic Frank n Furter, Sue Blane has created wonderful pieces, many of which were replicated throughout the audience with many coming in cosplay and joining in the party.

Lighting designed by Nick Richings is perfect, bringing the party atmosphere when it needs to but directing you to more tender or intimate moments, shifting the mood with a press of a button. Fantastic.

The cast are all on top form and the energy is electric. Tyla Dee Nurden, on this evening as Usherette and Magenta shines in both roles, opening the show as Usherette giving us some powerful vocals then switching to the fabulous Magenta and playing her perfectly.

Ryan Carter-Wilson gives us a fantastic Riff Raff, a little different to what I’ve seen before but making the character his own and it pays off, with outstanding vocals and a great humour.

Haley Flaherty returns as Janet and is made for the role, with a naivety/urgency needed for Janet, it’s wonderful to see and great to hear her gorgeous vocals. James Bisp is a fantastic Brad, again played a bit different to what I’ve seen before but I thoroughly enjoyed everything about it.

Our Narrator is Jackie Clune who gives a great character and is totally on the ball with comebacks on the heckles at the times the audience shout some extras.

Morgan Jackson grabs the attention as Rocky, a very physical role and done extremely well while giving great dance moves and fantastic vocals.

Daisy Steere as Columbia is a bundle of energy and a joy to watch and Edward Bullingham as Eddie and Dr Scott is incredible.

But Rocky Horror Show wouldn’t be what it is without the infamous Frank n Furter and what a joy it is to have Stephen Webb back in the role. Commanding, thrilling, having the audience in the palm of his hands from the second he enters the stage, giving a perfect character with the most insane vocals, he was born to play this role.

The choreography by Nathan M Wright is a hoot, full of energy and joy and delivered to such a  high standard by every cast member.

The band led by musical director Adam Smith sounded incredible, if a little loud in places but what’s a party without loud music?

Wigs and makeup by Darren Ware must also be mentioned as they are so integral to every performance and they round off these characters perfectly.

Rocky Horror Show is completely bonkers but an absolute joy so if you’re looking for an incredible evening of entertainment away from all the difficulties in the world, get yourself along to Storyhouse this week and allow this exceptional group of people to whisk you away to a different world for a couple of hours.

Rocky Horror Show is running at Storyhouse until Saturday 4^th July 2026 with tickets available at www.storyhouse.com

Reviewer: Damian Riverol

Reviewed: 30^th June 2026

North West End UK Rating: