THERE is nothing genteel 1 about this (or indeed, any) production of The Rocky Horror Show. Michael Scott's second Dublin production within 12 months of Richard O'Brien's cult rock `n' roll musical applies as much subtlety as a flying mallet to a tender spot. It's the kind of show that must send a shiver of fear amid seasoned theatre critics, especially if they have tickets for the front row.
To be forewarned is to be forearmed: the casual theatregoer may find this show both embarrassing and tiresome. The fan, of whom there were many at Tuesday's opening night, will revel in the call-and-response unwholesomeness of it all. It must be said, though, that the opening section of scene-setting by the show's background troupe of clown harpies was tedious beyond belief. Too entrenched in the cabaret (as opposed to Cabaret) ethics of the chicken `n' chips circuit, the forced reverie was a burden that only the audience responses relieved. Although on second thoughts - the lollipop licking contest was quite funny...
That said, you couldn't ignore the rigorous enthusiasm of the energetic cast. Effectively led by Derek Chapman (Riff Raff) and Aidan Conway (Frank N Furter), the show ran through its paces at a furious rate. There was little time to reflect on how passe, cliched, and average it was, although occasional creeks in the overall production allowed these doubts to seep in.
Is it a fun night out? Undoubtedly, if you're a fan. If you're not, you just might find the wafer thin titter-factor (simulated sex, men in stockings and suspenders, the Carry On triple entendre aesthetic) boring in the extreme. Is it sexy? Only if you're a very strange person indeed...
Runs until January 25th.
