Show revivals are a funny thing: People come to see classics, then complain when twists, dialogues, casts, setting, roles or the use of technology have or have not been dedusted and modernised and adapted to current affairs: Think of this summer’s debate about the minimalistic prop-stripped, bold West End production of Evita at London‘s Palladium, admired and despised alike.
A manifestation of Richard O’Brien‘s Rocky Horror Show would give such a discussion only a kinky, lipstick-lush signature grin – and a slap on the bum (as this is 2025 on its own bottom but that is as far as the updates go). The reason is that this spaced out fairytale about sex positivity and its sheer endless love for glamrock and rockabilly has high-heeled proudly over production trends in front of full audiences globally since the 1970s. And 35 million theatregoers cannot all be wrong.
The rows in Croydon’s Fairfield Halls are no exception – people wear retro and new TRHS tour t-shirts, fringed leather jackets, yellow sequins, fishnets, maid uniforms and petticoats. Don’t dream it, be it: Release your own Frank ‘n Furter, your inner Columbia, Usherette, Riffraff – the more, the merrier. And I wonder how many leopard print pants are hidden under raincoats as the summer is definitely over in South London, and umbrella’s are the accessories of the season.
On the venue’s newly opened, cosy bistro The Terrace at least we are able to spot some spells of blue sky before the show – safely from the inside admittedly because you never know. Don’t be like me though and miss the themed cock- and mocktails over a highly relevant pre-show conversation about the creator’s Richard O’Brien‘s statue back in its hometown Hamilton in New Zealand, and audience reactions during a recent German production tour when Hollywood actor Sky Du Mont narrated this sensual sci-fi non-sense but viewers were too starstruck in Zurich: Everyone who has seen it has at least one Rocky Horror Story anecdote. Next time, a Blood Bath Cocktail first then please. And a Virgin Janet Mocktail for the driver. Then the chatting. Well, next time.
Seats 10 and 11 in row K are well positioned and remind me of my last visit to the Fairfield Halls to see Peppa Pig with two first time theatre goers while Hillsongs were about to practice somewhere else in the maze this building appears to be but that’s a whole different story for another time. The next two hours will be enjoyed by me in true analogue Dolby surround as both my Hamilton-born plus one to the left and the explicitly detailed dressed-up solo-visiting Columbia to my right know every line and note.
The traditional and almost professional precise heckle script is reliably delivered by the ultras in cross-dress: Filthy, funny and beyond the political correctness the cast and the fans have a blast of a time! Jokes about the neighbourhood and its reputation are embraced – they were definitely not part of the Rocky Horror production I enjoyed years ago in Wimbledon.
Has anything in the production changed since? Feather boas are now the love children of Mummenschanz and Moulin Rouge but elastic straps, high heels, tinsel and horn-brimmed glasses are still the key essence of any Rocky Horror Show. That’s what people are here for: Let’s do the Time Warp again!
***** out of 5 stars
£25 tickets are available across all performances, running at Fairfield Halls until 6 September.
Sadie takes the Stage 
Sooo … what was your costume?!
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Silver fishnets and a big umbrella – but admittedly additional garments…
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