This was my fifth visit to the show, but my second in four days having previously seen it at the Leicester Curve, a modern theatre. Wolverhampton grand is a traditional theatre- and Grand! Richard O’Brien‘s audacious musical The Rocky Horror Show has had a cult following since it first opened in London in 1973. It lovingly parodies B-movie horror and science fiction clichés. An all-American couple are forced to seek refuge at a mysterious castle after a flat tyre sees them stranded on a stormy night. What they discover there will change them forever in what is essentially an adult pantomime

As tRoxy thd Usherette appears in front of the curtain we are transported back to 1950s America. Laura Bird sings ‘Science Fiction’ perfectly, recalling those iconic but trashy films and setting the scene as the curtain draws back to reveal Brad and Janet driving home from a wedding. 

Rocky Horror is as much about the audience as the performance and Wolverhampton were up for it in wall to wall wigs and stockings Then, when the cast sings the iconic ‘Time Warp’ about 20 minutes in, much of the audience stands up and joins infor an ensemble Rocky love in.

The ‘horror’ starts when Brad and Janet arrive at Dr Frank-N-Furter’s castle and a large gothic front door comes forward. Riff Raff opens the door ‘What’s your favourite Lionel Richie number?’ shouts someone from the audience. ‘Hello’ says Riff Raff to Brad and Janet.

The set is B-movie tackiness. Wall decorations in the hallway revolve to become over-the-top laboratory equipment and a huge strip of cinema film maintains the theme. The entrance of Frank‑N‑Furter sees the audience in ecstatics and Stephen Webb plays him with full gusto wearing a leather basque, fishnet stockings and a mischievous grin.

The mad scientist’s creation, Rocky, is played by Morgan Jackson who has the perfect physicality for the role and delivers seemingly effortless acrobatic dancing. His impressive entrance is on a revolving full-size Vitruvian man prop, lit with neon.

The show replicated the one in Leicester minus the Saturday night buzz, but “Im going home” by Frank really landed tonight. Another great show