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Camp, Corsets, and Chaos - Rocky Horror Show at the Belgrade Theatre

  • Writer: David Court
    David Court
  • Sep 23
  • 2 min read
James Bisp and Haley Flaherty as Brad and Janet. Photo by David Freeman.
James Bisp and Haley Flaherty as Brad and Janet. Photo by David Freeman.

The Rocky Horror Show. Performed at The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, from 22 - 27 September. Directed by Christopher Luscombe.

Review by David Court.


“It’s just a jump to the left…”


Entertaining audiences since its debut in 1973 at London’s Royal Court Theatre, The Rocky Horror Show is Richard O’Brien’s gleeful love letter to low-budget sci-fi, B-movie horror, and fifties rock and roll. Adapted for the screen two years later (with “Picture” added to the title), it arguably set the stage for modern cult theatre. With such a legacy, every new production has a lot to live up to.


The story is knowingly thin: clean-cut American sweethearts Brad Majors and Janet Weiss, newly engaged, set out to share their happy news with an old mentor. When their car breaks down on a stormy night, they ignore every horror cliché by venturing into a gothic mansion seeking help—where they encounter the charismatic, outrageous Dr. Frank-N-Furter and an unforgettable night of madness, music, and mayhem.


Laura Bird as the Usherette. Photo by David Freeman.
Laura Bird as the Usherette. Photo by David Freeman.

James Bisp and Haley Flaherty shine as Brad and Janet, convincingly charting their journey from wide-eyed innocence to wide-eyed corruption. The real draw, though, is the music. Every number lands with infectious energy—soaring ballads, stomping glam rock, raucous showstoppers—and yes, The Time Warp (twice) still gets the audience on its feet.


Of course, Rocky Horror wouldn’t be complete without its famously raucous audience participation. On opening night, the front rows were in fine form, gleefully heckling and singing along. Steering both them and the story is the narrator, and comedian Nathan Caton handled the role brilliantly, firing back with razor-sharp wit and earning some of the biggest laughs of the evening.


Stephen Webb as Frank-N-Further. Photo by David Freeman.
Stephen Webb as Frank-N-Further. Photo by David Freeman.

Then there’s Frank-N-Furter. Stephen Webb doesn’t just step into Tim Curry’s towering stilettos—he owns them. Equal parts glamorous, dangerous, and hilarious, Webb delivers a powerhouse performance with charisma, comic timing, and legs to die for.


There isn’t a weak link in the cast, every performer note-perfect and brimming with energy. The set design also deserves praise, conjuring up everything from crumbling castles to outlandish laboratories with flair and authenticity.


It may be ruder and raunchier than some remember—certainly not one for the kids—but it’s also an irresistible celebration of camp, chaos, and sheer theatrical joy. This production is easily among the best live versions of Rocky Horror I’ve seen. Miss it at your peril.


 

 

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