It’s a jump to the left for MTC
Forget Balboa — Catch The Rocky Horror Show for campy chaos
Barb Stewart

For the Rocky Horror virgins out there, Manitoba Theatre Centre’s current production of The Rocky Horror Show offers a solid and sometimes even great introduction to the phenomenon.

Director Ted Dykstra’s creative hand leads this production through its platform-heeled paces with style and assurance, balancing camp appeal with the ability to please a wide audience.

For those already enraptured with Rocky Horror, most likely after seeing the 1975 film version, this production’s strengths outweigh its weaknesses and make it a suitable instalment in the cult legacy. Even though you may be asked to check your water pistol and toilet-paper roll at the door, audience participation of the non-throwing kind is encouraged, and the interactive experience that has made Rocky Horror so beloved still has teeth at MTC.

On the whole the cast is strong, with Adam Brazier leading the way as the physically imposing, Gloria Swanson-esque Frank-N-Furter. Brazier’s first entrance is worthy of a queen, and his first musical number incorporates live hand-held video footage and makes for a chaotically grand affair.

Mairi Babb and Ron Pederson are delightful as the young lovers, Janet and Brad, who stumble into the reverse Disneyland that is Frank-N-Furter’s castle.

While players such as Alison SomerVille and Steven Gallagher still seem to be finding their footing with the characters Magenta and Riff-Raff, a few more shows should see them in fine form. And SomerVille does do a great turn as the usherette who leads into the show and ends it.

The one casting disappointment is Rocky Horror himself. Gerrad Everard’s attempt at portraying the not-so-bright but oh-so-beautiful boy with a childish lisp serves only to make Rocky sound like Elmer Fudd. It’s very distracting and just doesn’t work.

Yes, Rocky is an innocent creature with only half a brain — but his appeal is seriously compromised by that voice.

This misstep is one of few, though, and most other elements are executed with enough savvy to keep the production on track.

The costumes — from Janet’s fabulous matching underwear to Frank-N-Furter’s headpieces — are wickedly fun and full of clever touches, such as Eddie’s donning of a glittery Meatloaf T-shirt (the character was played by Meatloaf in the movie version). The sets are simple but inspired, offering innovative ideas such as a popcorn machine serving as Rocky’s ‘birth’ chamber. Such campy flourishes add to the gutter charm of the show.

In all, The Rocky Horror Show is crude, rude and a ton of fun — exactly what it’s supposed to be. Add in the shock value of hearing narrator John Neville swear — and then seeing him pose in fishnets — and this is an all-around festival of camp.