Tuesday night, I found myself back at the Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent, stepping into a world I hadn’t visited since I was just 14 years old in 1975. The Rocky Horror Show came roaring back into town this week, proving once again why it remains one of musical theatre’s most enduring and beloved cult classics.
From the moment I arrived, the atmosphere was electric. The foyer was filled with audience members who had embraced the spirit of the show, dressed as their favourite characters – fishnets, corsets, and glittering top hats abounded. It felt like stepping back in time, yet the energy was as fresh and vibrant as it was nearly five decades ago when I first experienced it.
The production itself was nothing short of spectacular. Directed with perfect understanding of what makes this show special, the cast brought Richard O’Brien’s outrageous masterpiece to life with both reverence for its traditions and fresh energy that kept it from feeling like a museum piece.
Stephen Webb’s Frank-N-Furter was a revelation, commanding the stage with the perfect blend of menace and seduction that the role demands. Haley Flaherty brought a wonderful innocence to Janet that made her transformation all the more delightful, while Richard Meek’s Brad perfectly captured the character’s journey from uptight nerd to liberated participant in Frank’s wild world.
Joe Allen’s Rocky was both physically impressive and charmingly naive, while Suzie McAdam brought a delicious wickedness to Magenta that had the audience howling with delight. Ben Westhead as Riff Raff contorted and skulked across the stage with perfect creepiness, and Darcy Finden was a delight as Columbia, bringing both comedy and pathos to the role.
But the true linchpin of the evening was the Narrator, who masterfully bridged the gap between stage and audience. With perfect comic timing, they handled the traditional audience callbacks with the skill of a seasoned stand-up, turning potential chaos into perfectly orchestrated interaction. When heckled, they gave as good as they got, creating those magical moments of spontaneity that make each Rocky Horror performance unique.
The classic songs had lost none of their power to thrill. When the opening notes of “Time Warp” began, I found myself on my feet along with the entire audience, stepping to the right and bringing my knees in tight just as I did back in 1975. “Sweet Transvestite,” “Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me,” and “Creature of the night ” all sounded as fresh and exhilarating as ever, performed by a stellar band who understood exactly how to balance rock energy with theatrical clarity.
What struck me most was how little the fundamental appeal of Rocky Horror has changed. In a world that’s seen so much social evolution since the 70s, the show’s message of liberation, its celebration of oddity and individuality, still resonates powerfully. Watching teenagers and septuagenarians alike shouting responses and dancing in the aisles together was a powerful reminder of this show’s unique ability to create community through its gloriously weird vision.
As I left the theatre, still humming “Science Fiction/Double Feature,” I realized what makes The Rocky Horror Show so special: it’s not just a musical, it’s a rite of passage, a shared cultural experience that spans generations. The fact that I could enjoy it just as much at my current age as I did when I was 14 proves just how iconic this musical is.
If you’ve never seen The Rocky Horror Show live, or if it’s been too long since your last time, the production at the Regent Theatre this week is not to be missed. Grab your fishnets, practice your Time Warp, and prepare for a night that will leave you grinning for days afterward. To book go to https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-rocky-horror-show/regent-theatre/ for details of other shows coming go to https://www.atgtickets.com/shows
By Chrissie Woodward
