The Rocky Horror Show, currently playing at the Churchill Theatre from 9th to 14th February, is as delightful and deplorable as ever! That delight is very much aided by the drier-than-dry-ice Narrator (Jackie Clune), whose stand-up comedy we will be looking out for.
As one audience member put it, “It’s a bit like panto, but for adults with a horrible sense of humour”. Well, a lot of those adults turned out, some in rather bespoke outfits, for the opening night. Their glee and interactions (especially with the Narrator) added an extra joy to the experience, making it extra special. Outfit-spotting in the interval was a bonus (and contributed to our Instagram).
Blessed with great music – the Rockin’, – great gender-bending costumes – the Frockin’, and great surprises and twists (to the horror and pleasure of Brad and Janet) – the Shockin’, this is quite a musical, and as loveable as it was when it materialised on earthly stages in 1973. The night starts innocently enough with an Usherette (Laura Bird) who pinkly sets the retro, American 60’s tone before the outlandish, well, lands.
The Rocky Horror Show tells the story of an innocent – but not for long – young couple lost and stranded near the creepy home of the transgender magnificence that is Frank-N-Furter, played with total relish and exuberance by Stephen Webb. A man made for the part, in more ways than one….
Once Janet (Haley Flaherty) and Brad (James Bisp) enter the gothic pile, they encounter Frank’s entourage and servants, and his past Eddie (Edward Bullingham), and present, Rocky (Morgan Jackson), experimental projects. Cue mayhem and really wild things!
Amongst the wildness lurked Riff Raff, played by a suitably creepy Ryan Carter-Wilson, Magenta (Laura Bird, who, like the ensemble/Phantoms (Jesse Chidera, Nathan Zach Johnson, Tyla Dee Nurden, and Bethany Amber Perrins) added beautifully to the spectacle. Columbia (Daisy Steere) sparkled both in costume and when she blasted through one of the more memorable solo, eyebrow raising sequences of the night.
During encores it was especially enjoyable to see the band in the heights rise to their feet to take the applause they, too, very much deserved. Luke Beirne on guitars played so well he must have been inspired, in some way, by Frank! With the band went the songs. Not just Time Warp, but Dammit Janet, Sweet Transvestite, and more. The choreography matched the music and the humour and the tongue-in-cheek (and other places) sexuality of the production.
Go! Do that Time Warp! Transsexual, Transylvania awaits in Bromley. As Frank might say, ‘Come, and come again!’
Tickets here.
Darren and Jacqui Weale, 10 February 2026
Bromley Buzz 