The Rocky Horror Show
The Theatre Royal Sydney
The Rocky Horror show is more than a show. It’s a special event every time it’s produced and performed anywhere in the world. A private party that anyone can attend. Written by Richard O’Brien, a celebrated actor, musician, television presenter and producer of musical theatre, way back in 1973, the show has certainly made an impact. Now it’s the shows 50th anniversary and the spectacular production at, The Theatre Royal Sydney, is indeed a decadent and delicious date with a deranged bunch of characters from another dimension. Jason Donovan’s Frank N Furter is a delight. His interpretation of the mad scientist is a mix of flippant upper crust house wife mixed with deluded despot. He is at once wickedly funny, fiercely tenacious and beautifully naughty. In fact the whole cast of this production is a dream.
Dylan Alcott narrates the show with humour and pathos, add libbing with ease, and joking with the audience. His role is an integral part of the whole and his wheelchair moves are literally out of this world. Alcott proves, once again, that there are no limits to what you can achieve if you have the grit and determination to overcome whatever obstacles come your way. In the land of,Transexual Transylvania, that’s a must.
Brad and Janet, played by Deirdre Khoo and Blake Bowden, add just the right amount of fertive frivolity to the madness and mayhem on stage. Henry Rollo as Riff Raff, Stella Perry as Magenta and Darcey Eagle as Columbia, are all equally as astounding in their electrifying performances. Ellis Dolan as Eddie also plays Dr Scott, who happens to be in a wheelchair, and has a penchant for stealing Dylan Alcott’s parking space. So the audience is told. The phantoms move in unison like an all consuming wave, watching and waiting, for things that go bump in the night. Frank N Furt’s creature, Rocky, Daniel Erbarcher is a perfectly sculpted and poised mass of muscle with all the right moves.
Director, Christopher Luscombe with his crew including, choreographer Nathan. M. Wright, lighting designer, Nick Richings, and costume designer Sue Blane have, with their combined creative vision and attention to detail, created a lusciious two hours of escapism full of ……
‘Erotic nightmares beyond any measure
And sensual daydreams to treasure forever ’
So in the words of Frank N Furter …
Don’t Dream It. Be it.
……………………………………………
By Renee Dallow
Bourgeoise Bloomer Reviews And Banter.
Dylan Alcott, Peter Helliar and Jason Donovan together for press photos.
Strangers On A Train
Genesian Theatre Sydney
Directed by Mark G. Nagle, Strangers On A Train, is full of suspense. A production that holds the audience spellbound with its compelling plot and obsessive characters. The play is at once an exploration of psychological manipulation and twisted family ties. Two men meet on a train, one has an unhappy marriage and the other, an unhappy relationship with his father. The former is after a divorce and the latter is after murder. Guy Haines, the former, is a well dressed, poised young man, who also happens to be a much sought after architect. Charles Bruno, the latter, is a somewhat dishevelled character, prone to childish tantrums and drunken bouts of fantasy..
Reliant on his wealthy parents for money, Bruno was looking forward to his inheritance. Only problem is, his father, has cut him out of the will. He is planning for his father’s demise. Whilst on the train he suggests a simple solution to both their problems. That he kill Haines irritating wife and, Haines in turn, shoots Bruno’s father. No-one will connect them and it will be the perfect crime. Haines, gets off the train first, not realising that he has just entered an agreement with a psychopath who has every intention of carrying out the plan he considers signed, sealed and soon to be delivered.
This production, based on Patricia Highsmith’s novel, is set in Australia and in the present time. No 1950s film noir costumes but plenty of mood music. Sharp and discordant sounds too, are reminiscent, of Hitchcock’s 1951 film version. The lighting is reflective and heightens the intensity of the action on both a physical and psychological level. The set, though minimalist, is perfect for a play which rest so completely on the relationships between the characters.
The cast could not be faulted. Roy Wallace-Cant’s portrayal of, Psycho/Spoilt brat, Charles Bruno, is startlingly bone chilling. Hamish MacDonald gives a streamlined performance as Guy Haines and even resembles Farley Granger, who played the role in the film.
Supporting characters including Jane Wallace as Bruno’s mother, and Rachele Edson, as Haine’s fiance/wife, are the perfect foils. Krishae Senthuran, Cris Bocchi and, most importantly, Christopher Brown as Detective Arthur Gerard, all add extra dimensions to what is a very well paced and beautifully directed journey into the recesses of the mind and it’s ability to control the thoughts and deeds of others.
What really stood out overall, in this production besides the direction and performances, were the exceptional lighting and sound effects. Michael Schell, deserves special mention, for attention to lighting and sound design.
By Renee Dallow
Bourgeoise Bloomer Reviews And Banter
Bourgeoise Bloomers 
You must be logged in to post a comment.