The Fugard: The Rocky Horror Show

When we were younger, my mother and grandmother absolutely loved The Rocky Horror Picture Show. They would watch it over and over again on the VCR. Even though I was born more than 10 years after the release, I probably knew every song- I now realise how inappropriate that was.

The original Rocky Horror Picture Show was released in 1975 based on the stage production. It was basically a parody of the B-rate horror movies released in the 50’s and 60’s. It was ridiculously raunchy, twisted and had great music. The most popular song definitely being “The Time-warp”. It was obviously banned under the Apartheid government (no surprise there) which probably enhanced my mom’s love for it at the time.

When we heard that there was an all South African stage production we knew we had to go. We needed to take their biggest fan to see it.

I had never been to the Fugard Theatre before. I haven’t actually seen many stage shows for that matter. From the moment I walked into The Fugard, I felt the vintage quirkiness everywhere. Many people came dressed as Dr. Frank  N. Furter and his servants and it wasn’t even an official dress-up show.

My mom was adorably dressed as Magenta- bow-tie and all.

The theatre itself was tiny (or intimate). It’s unbelievable how they had the whole show on that tiny stage. The back screen was so cool. You will have to see the show to understand how amazing it was. The show involved the audience. Audience participation packs could be purchased containing things like confetti and glowsticks that were to be used in certain scenes during the show.

The absolute highlight of the show was the statuesque, fabulous, transvestite from Transylvania- Dr Frank N. Furter. The word “fabulous” doesn’t do him justice. He is played by Brendan Van Rhyn (you might recognise him from Madame Zingara as Cathy Specific) who fully embodied his character like he was born to play it with his large, muscular body squeezed into tiny lingerie and sky-high heels which I couldn’t dare to wear.

The other character which really stood out to me was Janet (Jenny Stead). Her “Touch-a Touch-a Touch-a Touch me” scene was fantastic. She displayed just the right amounts of timidness and sexuality to really do her character justice.

Rocky (Shaun Smit) must have about zero percent body fat. I could practically swap my Netters (Anatomy text book) for a picture of him. And the gold onnie leaves nothing to the imagination. At times I thought  “I’m too young for this!”.

I don’t quite remember Magenta (Daneel Van Der Walt) being as freaky looking as she did in the show and my mom did complain that her accent was too heavy but this is the Rocky Horror so I guess you go big or you go home. We did miss her hairstyle from the original movie at the end.

The intimacy of the theatre does get a little too much at times after the crowd has had a few too many and feels the need to continually shout things out. Don’t get me wrong, there are specific cat calls which audience members can shout out, it adds to the fun of the show, but continuously shouting “sexy” at the cast really gets annoying. Frank N. Furter can definitely put you in your place but the rest of the audience does get very annoyed, so do everyone a favour and shut up!

After the show, some of the cast comes out to take photos with the audience which is great but it gets CHAOTIC! Everyone wants their own picture with Frank N. Furter and the crowd are more than willing to push you out the way.

Word to the wise: the show does get very raunchy at times so leave your parents (and kids) at home if they are not as cool as mine.

I absolutely loved the show. I wouldn’t hesitate to see it again and next time I will learn my steps to The Time Warp. I highly recommend The Rocky Horror for anyone looking for a fun night out. Make a night of it and go in full costume- you won’t be sorry.

The Details

The Rocky Horror Show

The Fugard

CALEDON STREET
(OFF BUITENKANT STREET),
DISTRICT 6, CAPE TOWN

Price: R90- R230

The final curtain drops on January 12th in Cape Town and reopens January the 24th in Montecasino Johannesburg

-I