The Rocky Horror Show
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
A Glorious Celebration of Freedom, Fantasy and Theatrical Anarchy
There are productions that entertain.
There are productions that move audiences.
And then there are productions that arrive like a glitter-covered meteor crashing through the roof of convention itself.
The Rocky Horror Show is one of those productions.
On the same day that I had experienced the emotional weight and dramatic intensity of theatre elsewhere, I found myself once again seated at the Pieter Toerien Theatre at Montecasino. Yet what unfolded before me could not have been more different. Where tragedy had demanded reflection, Rocky Horror demanded surrender.
Surrender to laughter.
Surrender to absurdity.
Surrender to music.
Surrender to freedom.
From the moment the house lights dimmed and the opening notes of Science Fiction Double Feature echoed through the theatre, it became clear that this was not simply a musical.
It was a celebration.
A carnival of imagination.
A love letter to outsiders.
A joyous rebellion against conformity.
And what a rebellion it was.
Fishnets, Corsets and Fair Warning
Before a single note was sung and before a single spotlight illuminated the stage, there was already a sense that this evening was going to be unlike any other.
The foyer itself felt like an extension of the performance.
Audience members arrived dressed for the occasion. Corsets. Fishnet stockings. Sequins. Leather. Feather boas. Elaborate makeup. The line between audience and performer seemed to disappear long before the curtain rose.
For those attending Rocky Horror for the first time, the experience can initially be surprising. There were men confidently dressed in fishnets and corsets, women embracing extravagant costumes and theatre lovers celebrating self-expression in all its forms.
At first glance it can feel unusual.
Then, very quickly, it becomes part of the joy.
Because Rocky Horror has never been interested in convention.
It has never asked permission to be different.
It has always celebrated individuality, freedom and the courage to embrace one's authentic self.
Yet it is important to state clearly that this production is not intended for children.
The age restriction exists for good reason.
Parents considering bringing younger children should think carefully before purchasing tickets.
Rocky Horror is filled with adult humour, sexual innuendo, provocative costumes, suggestive choreography and themes designed for mature audiences. There are moments that will have adults roaring with laughter while simultaneously wondering whether they should be laughing quite so hard.
The show delights in making audiences blush.
It enjoys pushing boundaries.
It revels in discomfort before transforming that discomfort into comedy.
None of it feels malicious.
None of it exists merely to shock.
Rather, it is part of Rocky Horror's long-standing tradition of challenging social norms and encouraging audiences to question why certain things make us uncomfortable in the first place.
This is not family theatre.
This is cult theatre.
Wild.
Untamed.
Unapologetic.
And all the more entertaining because of it.
The Strange and Wonderful World of Rocky Horror
For more than fifty years, Richard O'Brien's creation has occupied a unique place in theatre history.
Part science-fiction parody.
Part horror comedy.
Part rock concert.
Part social revolution.
Rocky Horror gleefully tears apart expectations and invites audiences into a world where absolutely anything feels possible.
There are aliens.
There are mad scientists.
There are strange experiments.
There are creatures stitched together from fantasy and desire.
And at the centre of it all lies a message that has allowed the show to survive generation after generation.
Be yourself.
Without apology.
Without compromise.
Without fear.
That message continues to resonate because every audience contains people who have felt different at some point in their lives.
Rocky Horror celebrates those people.
It always has.
Craig Urbani: The Magnificent Frank-N-Furter
Every production of Rocky Horror stands or falls on the strength of its Frank-N-Furter.
It is one of musical theatre's most demanding roles.
The performer must possess charisma, vocal excellence, comic timing, confidence and an almost supernatural ability to command attention.
Craig Urbani possesses all of those qualities in abundance.
His Frank-N-Furter is sensational.
The moment he stepped onto the stage, the atmosphere changed.
The audience leaned forward.
Eyes widened.
Smiles spread.
The room belonged to him.
Urbani does not simply perform Frank-N-Furter.
He inhabits him.
He struts.
He prowls.
He seduces.
He mocks.
He dazzles.
His performance of Sweet Transvestite was one of the defining moments of the evening, a masterclass in theatrical confidence and stage presence.
Yet beneath the glamour lies remarkable craftsmanship.
Every gesture feels intentional.
Every line lands perfectly.
Every musical phrase is delivered with precision.
This is a performer operating at the height of his powers.
Janet and Brad: The Heart of the Story
Amid all the madness stand two ordinary people.
Janet Weiss and Brad Majors.
They are our guides into this extraordinary world.
Léa Blerk delivers a magnificent Janet Weiss.
Her transformation from innocent sweetheart to liberated participant in Frank-N-Furter's world is one of the production's most fascinating journeys.
She captures Janet's vulnerability, curiosity and awakening with remarkable skill and confidence.
Robert Everson brings warmth, sincerity and excellent comic timing to Brad Majors.
As the increasingly bewildered fiancé attempting to make sense of the insanity unfolding around him, Everson generates enormous laughter while maintaining the character's humanity.
Together they provide the emotional anchor of the production.
Without Brad and Janet, the audience has no compass.
Without Léa Blerk and Robert Everson, the story loses its heart.
The Extraordinary Residents of the Castle
The supporting cast deserves enormous praise.
Schoeman Smit delivers a wonderfully sinister and eccentric Riff Raff.
Jasmine Minter shines as Magenta, balancing mystery, mischief and theatrical flair.
Anna Oliver brings infectious energy and heart to Columbia, creating one of the production's most memorable presences.
Micah Stojakovic impresses as Rocky, embracing both the physicality and larger-than-life absurdity of Frank-N-Furter's creation.
Zak Hendriks demonstrates tremendous versatility and comic energy throughout the evening.
Each performer contributes something unique.
Each helps build the wonderfully bizarre ecosystem that makes Rocky Horror work.
The Ensemble: The Lifeblood of the Production
Great musicals are built on ensemble excellence.
This production possesses it in abundance.
Alessia Gironi.
Anne Power.
Gabriella Knight.
Miguel De Sampaio.
Sasha Duffy.
Taya Pearson.
Tjaart Van Der Walt.
Together with the principal cast, they transform every scene into a living, breathing spectacle.
Whether singing, dancing, moving scenery or creating atmosphere, their contribution is invaluable.
The audience naturally notices the stars.
The theatre community understands the importance of the ensemble.
These performers are the engine room of the production.
Every movement matters.
Every harmony matters.
Every entrance matters.
Their commitment elevates the entire show.
The Music: A Soundtrack for Outsiders
Part of Rocky Horror's enduring brilliance lies in its score.
The songs are unforgettable.
Science Fiction Double Feature immediately establishes the show's love affair with classic B-movie horror and science-fiction cinema.
Dammit Janet introduces Brad and Janet's seemingly perfect world.
Over at the Frankenstein Place creates mystery and anticipation.
Then comes The Time Warp.
One of the most iconic songs in musical theatre history.
The audience erupted.
Generations know the lyrics.
Generations know the dance.
Generations continue to celebrate its glorious absurdity.
Sweet Transvestite announces Frank-N-Furter's arrival with unforgettable flair.
The Sword of Damocles introduces Rocky.
I Can Make You a Man further expands Frank's outrageous vision.
Hot Patootie explodes with pure rock-and-roll energy.
Act Two continues the musical feast.
Touch-a Touch-a Touch Me generates enormous laughter.
Once In A While introduces a surprising emotional note.
Eddie's Teddy injects further chaos and excitement.
Rose Tint My World transforms the stage into a surreal theatrical fantasy.
Don't Dream It – Be It delivers the show's central philosophy.
Wild and Untamed Thing becomes a joyous celebration of liberation.
Transit Beam accelerates the story toward its climax.
I'm Going Home provides a surprisingly touching farewell.
Finally, Science Fiction Double Feature returns to bring the journey full circle.
The score remains every bit as rebellious, infectious and exhilarating as it was decades ago.
The Creative Team Behind the Magic
Productions of this scale do not happen by accident.
They are built by artists working tirelessly behind the scenes.
Director Steven Stead deserves immense credit for understanding exactly what Rocky Horror should be.
Bold.
Funny.
Provocative.
Fearless.
Joyful.
Costume designer Terrence Bray delivers a visual feast.
The costumes are magnificent.
Extravagant.
Playful.
Daring.
Beautifully crafted.
The fishnets, corsets, sequins and outrageous designs honour Rocky Horror's legendary aesthetic while feeling fresh and alive.
Greg King's set design creates an extraordinary playground for the performers.
The castle becomes a character in its own right.
A place where fantasy, horror and comedy collide.
Lighting designer Faheem Bardien paints the production with colour, atmosphere and dramatic impact.
Every cue enhances the storytelling.
Every transition deepens the mood.
David Classen's sound design ensures that every lyric, joke and musical moment lands with crystal clarity.
Kevin Kraak's musical supervision keeps the production's heartbeat strong from beginning to end.
Meanwhile choreographers Duane Alexander and Naolin Quinzin infuse the show with movement, rhythm and infectious energy.
Their work is visible in every dance sequence and every moment of physical storytelling.
The audience may applaud the performers.
The theatre community understands that productions like this are collective achievements.
Every department matters.
Every artist contributes.
Every creative hand leaves fingerprints on the final masterpiece.
Why Rocky Horror Endures
Many productions fade with time.
Rocky Horror refuses.
More than half a century after its debut, it remains one of the most beloved cult musicals ever created.
The reason is simple.
It celebrates freedom.
Not political freedom.
Not social freedom.
Personal freedom.
The freedom to be strange.
The freedom to be different.
The freedom to be unapologetically yourself.
Long before such conversations became commonplace, Rocky Horror was encouraging audiences to embrace individuality.
Its message remains timeless because the human desire for acceptance is timeless.
Final Curtain
The Rocky Horror Show is not conventional theatre.
It is not polite theatre.
It is not safe theatre.
It is joyous theatre.
It is rebellious theatre.
It is theatre wearing fishnet stockings and high heels while laughing directly in the face of convention.
This production at the Pieter Toerien Theatre was a triumph.
Craig Urbani delivered a star-making performance as Frank-N-Furter.
Léa Blerk and Robert Everson anchored the production with warmth, sincerity and charm.
Schoeman Smit, Jasmine Minter, Anna Oliver, Micah Stojakovic and Zak Hendriks enriched every scene they entered.
Alessia Gironi, Anne Power, Gabriella Knight, Miguel De Sampaio, Sasha Duffy, Taya Pearson and Tjaart Van Der Walt helped create an ensemble worthy of celebration.
Steven Stead and his creative team delivered a production overflowing with imagination, craftsmanship and joy.
By the final curtain, one truth remained undeniable.
Rocky Horror is not merely a musical.
It is an experience.
A celebration.
A declaration.
A glorious invitation to embrace the strange, reject conformity and dance proudly to the rhythm of your own Time Warp.
And on this unforgettable evening at Montecasino, the invitation was impossible to refuse.
Congratulations Steven Stead and the whole team for a great show and a deserved standing ovation.
📸 : SamSays
