The Rocky Horror Show at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Debbie Kingsland

The Rocky Horror Show at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre was performed in a high energy, eccentric manner. I found myself engaged in the bizarre atmosphere of a rock n roll musical based on transvestites.

The stage was welcomed by a young lady singing about science fiction which rapidly sets the scene for the show ahead. The curtain then reveals a very artistic set for a young, very strait-laced couple driving, who were suddenly struck with a flat tyre. With this very unforeseen circumstance they stumble upon a castle to which they call upon for help. Unbeknown to them, the world they were about to step foot into was one that would make an impact on them forever. A world of mad scientists creating a ‘Rocky’ to fulfil his dreams. The show was full of men in suspenders and very kinky costumes and sexy innuendos.

The famous “Time Warp” was performed very quickly into the show to which all cast members came out and participated in. I feel that this was aimed to get the audience participation, but looking round there were the odd few up and dancing along.

The show was very reliant on audience participation by those who had clearly watched it on many occasions, which may I add were very recognisable as the majority of them were dressed up in fishnet tights, corsets and pearl necklaces and were waiting patiently for the punch lines. The responses I found were very funny and I sat wondering if they were similar on every show or dependent on the individual.

This show is not for the “prude” as it was very explicit and sexual.

The show was narrated throughout by the very talented Jackie Clune, who was very clear and funny with her responses to the hecklers in the audience, keeping everyone captivated. Her replies were current to the world affairs of the current day. I love to watch a show where I can see the actors genuinely enjoying what they do and this was the vibe I got from Jackie.

The show was split with a short interval in the middle. As a reviewer I found the second half of the show more captivating than the first. I found the first half a little difficult to follow and found there was lots happening on the stage and wasn’t sure where to look.

Overall I enjoyed the show and found it a very bizarrely socially accepting show, especially in this current day and age. I recommend anyone who hasn’t witnessed this show to do so as it is an experience you won’t forget, from the ambience waiting to go into the very end of the show.

The Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury was very easy to locate using the postcode on satellite navigation systems. There is a large car park directly opposite the theatre to which there were many available spaces. We did park in the electric hook up points to be disappointed that they were not working. The theatre itself spoiled the experience a little for me as it was very warm, although this could have been due to being the hottest day of the year. The entrance hall was very stuffy as we all waited to enter the auditorium. There was a big rush to get inside. Once sat in the stalls, which were very nicely spaced out seats, this too became very hot and this continued throughout the show! There were lots of people around fanning themselves with programmes.

The theatre provides a service to which it delivers refreshments to your seats during the interval if you download the app. This is the first time I’ve seen this at the theatre, although we didn’t use the service.

We did go out at the interval to get a cold drink and found the prices at the bar on the high side, a bottle of cold drink costing £4.10. The venue provided disabled access with lifts available and a substantial amount of disabled toilets.

Rating: 4/5
Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury
Show time two hours including an interval running at Waterside until 30th May
Tickets priced from £18.72 – £26 – booking fee not included
https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-rocky-horror-show/aylesbury-waterside-theatre/