Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show – Review – Leeds Grand Theatre
By Hazel Davis, June 2025
Growing up in the late 1980s, Jason Donovan was a household name, if not an actual pin-up of mine. The clean-cut heartthrob who played Scott Robinson in Neighbours was about a million miles away from the arch, camp and charismatic supervillain Frank-N-Furter, gyrating on stage in front of me. My teenage daughter is unmoved by this transformation, but I – and the woman beside me (also of a certain age and dressed as a sexy waitress) – are having complete paroxysms. Donovan’s performance is delightfully menacing, world-weary, and totally believable, even when he occasionally lapses into an Aussie drawl for a laugh. I didn’t know I ever fancied him – until now.
In the first few rows of the Leeds Grand Theatre, the fans have gone all out, sporting everything from elaborate fishnets and corsets to bald caps and glitter. If there’s ever a place to be yourself and embrace the unconventional, it’s at The Rocky Horror Show. Despite the fact I’ve only partially dressed up (in a leather jacket, as a homage to Eddie – RIP, spoiler alert), the enthusiasm is infectious.
“Whirlwind”
As a Rocky Horror virgin, I’d read up on what to expect, but I was still not prepared for the total anarchy of the proceedings. Audience heckles are expected – encouraged, even – which is hard for an old-fashioned sit-still-and-watch theatre purist like me. It’s difficult to resist the glare reflex, even when the cast laugh at the heckles. That said, some people take it a bit too far tonight, shouting out again when their first line is ignored due to lack of hilarity – but the cast take it all in their stride. Naturally, when the ‘Time Warp’ begins, even though it’s a Monday night in Leeds, we’re all up dancing and joining in.
The show is not perfect – there are some scrappy moments here and there – but it is a whirlwind of cheeky humour and pushed boundaries. Stand-up Nathan Caton, as the Narrator, who delivers a delightfully mischievous performance, weaving in sharp topical jokes and spitting out comebacks ranging from “Your mum” to slightly more nuanced retorts. His presence is extremely likeable, and his lines are total zingers, though his vocals could do with a bit of work.
“Brilliantly creepy”
Donovan’s voice is strong and his performance pays homage to Tim Curry’s original, but with a darker edge. At times, he’s almost acting too well, and I find myself wondering whether he’s actually OK – but I’m reassured when he collapses into giggles during the infamous Brad bed scene and is all smiles during the final number.
Lauren Chia as Janet is a total standout, bringing just the right amount of prudishness to the part but sexing it up perfectly when the moment demands it. Her vocals are spot on, though not always matched by Connor Carson’s Brad – likeable though he is. Job Greuter is a brilliantly creepy Riff Raff and – my goodness – Morgan Jackson is so perfect as bemused, backflipping beefcake Rocky, he might actually have been created in a lab.
Rocky Horror was – and still is – outrageous (it’s very near-the-knuckle tonight). And while many now find it problematic in light of today’s more nuanced discussions around gender, maybe – just maybe – it’s simply an absurd show with ridiculous costumes and some absolutely banging tunes.
‘Richard O’Brien‘s Rocky Horror Show’ is at Leeds Grand Theatre until 7th June
Hazel Davis lives in West Yorkshire and has been a journalist for most of the UK national newspapers and many magazines, cutting her teeth on a classical music magazine. She’s the lead singer in a country band (Mustard County), plays trumpet in a wind band and big band and cornet in a brass band. When she’s not playing music or writing about it, she’s usually thinking about it.
