Directed by Hunter King

Review by Aislinn McSharry

Bedlam Theatre

Bedlam Theatre hosts a decadent, gorgeously camp, and utterly fantastic rendition of Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a credit to expertise of all creatives involved. Dripping in fish-net glamour and bubbling with uncorseted decadence, this revival of the iconoclastic cult-classic dished out perfect levels of camp flamboyance and displayed stand-out musical theatre prowess.

The cast of this EUTC (Edinburgh University Theatre Company) production excelled, each ridiculously well-cast, from Max Middleton‘s wonderfully dorky Brad to Dani J. Bryant‘s animalistic and dynamic Riff Raff and Bea Lermite’s sultry and mercurial Magenta.

Charlotte Senior‘s perfected Janet’s good-girl-gone-bad routine, captivating the audience with her comedic flair and characterful charisma, whilst ensemble members Bella Cook and Hattie Sumners especially proved that talent shone throughout the cast. Laudation must be paid to Lil Hodge’s eccentric and charismatic Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter, a real theatrical treat, who, whilst embodying everything Rocky Horror, excelled especially in the more vulnerable moments, offering a gorgeous rendition of “I’m Going Home“.

This production’s real Frank ‘N’ Furter however: Director Hunter King, a passionate creator of his Rocky, whose evident enthusiasm entrenched every second, from the ‘Virgin’ pre-show to the production’s flair, bursting with colour and pulsating with energy at every turn.

Naomi Jessiman‘s choreography – another pillar of excellence – constantly enthralled, and even surprised, creating hits of underdog numbers, namely “Eddie“, which shone with an unusual pazazz, brilliantly complemented with Aisling Ní Dhochartaigh‘s hilarious Dr. Scott.

Any usual limits or foibles of student theatre perfectly lent into the chaos that is Rocky Horror, and, bundled perfectly with the audience callbacks, evoked the authentic viewing experience.

In a show so much about aesthetic and glamour, marketing and graphic design by Kai Smolin excelled also and tied together the visual extravaganza. EUTC’s striking production buzzed with vitality and gleamed with glitz and glam, a great testament to all those involved and the perfect homage to Tim Curry, less than a month after his passing.

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