Category: Brett Herriot Review

“The Ultimate Feel Good Night Out! “

**** 4 Stars

Fifty two years and still going strong, Richard O’Brien’s cult classic tribute to the B Movies with anthemic rock and roll score including hits like “The Timewarp”, “Sweet Transvestite” and “I’m going home” continues to pack lingerie and high heeled clad audiences into theatres around the country for an evening of debauched fun.

The show makes a return visit to the Edinburgh Playhouse and truly delivers the goods with a thrilling performance with the only problem being that without a doubt this is the shortest version ever of the show and it’s now doing those faithful audiences a disservice. Act one comes in at a woeful 41 minutes only and act two is just 45 minutes including the traditional dance along curtain call.

Director Christopher Luscombe has now cut the show to the very bone and the talented cast deliver in spades but at a lighting fast pace it makes the show feel even shorter, us horror fans want more and frankly for the ticket price they deserve it too.

That being said, this is the ultimate feel good night out that you can have in the theatre and it’s thanks to the sheer brilliant genius of Richard O’Brien writing and the awesome performances from the excellent cast.

Returning to the Horror Show to lead the company as Frank N Furter is Jason Donovan who gives a simply divine performance throughout. The Rocky Horror show has been a part of his life since 1998 and he even met his wife through the show but Donovan has truly grown into the role and brings vigour and camp comedy aplenty to the role and his ability to reference the hedonistic days of the late 90’s is hilarious.

Donovan is joined by a stellar cast including Lauren Chia “Janet”, Connor Carson “Brad”, Job Greuter “Riff Raff” all of whom turn in glittering performances that truly capture the heart of the show and the applies to the entire cast. Special mention must go to Nathan Caton in the role of “The Narrator” his years of stand up comedy have armed him well and he handles the quips and adlibs from the audience with ease and in truly hilarious style with an adult edge. Also shinning extra brightly is the gorgeous Morgan Jackson as “Rocky” he excels every time he is on stage regardless if he wearing tiny briefs or stockings, suspenders and high heels, his is a triumphant rocky.

Choreographer Nathan M Wright has ensured every classic dance move is right on stage while making it fresh for a new generation of audiences. This coupled with Christopher Luscombe tight direction ensures the show flies along.

Production wise it’s as excellent as it’s ever been, Hugh Durrant’s set design captures the nostalgia of the piece bringing a nice touch of cinema to the show, and this is boosted by Nick Richings brilliant lighting design.  Musically the show really rocks thanks to musical director Josh Sood’s excellent five piece on stage band coupled with Gareth Owen’s sound design ensures every note, lyric and comedy line is heard in the massive auditorium of the playhouse.  Sue Blane’s costume design is pitch perfect capturing the shows iconic look with ease and well done the men in the company for dawning those very high heels and showing their skills so well.

This is a Rocky Horror which keeps the flame of the original burning brightly but its time some of those cuts and omissions were added back in, in order to deliver real value for money. For now throw your stockings and heels on and head to the playhouse to time warp the night away!

The Rocky Horror Show, The Edinburgh Playhouse, Runs until Saturday 25th January 2025 for additional info and tickets go to: The Rocky Horror Show Tickets | Edinburgh Playhouse in Edinburgh | ATG Tickets

The productions UK tour will continue throughout the year and into 2026.

“Pure Rock That Sizzles “

**** 4 Stars

The late legendary rock composer Jim Steinman’s lasting legacy is his rock musical “Bat out of Hell ” for which he wrote the Book, Music and Lyrics. It enjoyed major success in London’s west end as well as Broadway alongside its first major UK tour in 2021. That tour was emotionally charged as the world lost both Steinman in 2021 and Meat Loaf in 2022 and we gave it a five star review as it was truly an epic thrill ride of a show.

Why then has a star been lost? It’s down to the fact this new tour for 2025 is reworking of the latest Australian arena tour that essentially see’s act one being nothing more than a concert of Steinman’s hits with little to no direction from the productions director Jay Scheib. The shows story is a loose retelling of Peter Pan set in post utopian New York and act 2 does get the story over but it doesn’t quite make up for act one being so bereft of story even if the songs are terrific and performed with paunch by the stellar twenty three strong cast (including swings),

The cast are as shining example of what a tight knit ensemble company can achieve with beguiling vocals aplenty. Special mention must go to Glenn Adamson who leads the company as “Strat” his faultless vocals accompanied by swirling hip moves captures the audience from the off.  Kate Tonkinson shines as “Raven” with gorgeous honey soaked vocals. The same is true of Sharon Sexton who brings a deep sense of maturity to the role of “Sloane” especially in the capturing scenes with the wonderful Rob Fowler as “Falco”, however the entire cast stand out.

Director Jay Scheib makes some often confusing choices, the cast are all clearly wearing head microphones so the obsession with hand held radio mics feels lost on the audience especially the switching from hand held radio mics to an xlr cable microphone it’s more of a faff for the cast than adding anything of artistic benefit. That being said Scheib drives excellent performances from the entire cast especially in Act 2 and one thing is for sure they can really sing the rock opera infused score that’s boosted by Musical Director Iestyn Griffiths and there excellent eight strong on stage band. Matt Peploe’s sound design is right on the money and captures both the intimate moments alongside the full out rock concert embellishments with ease.

Xena Gusthart’s choreography is delivered with pin sharp procession however the same motif could be used a little less often however it does capture the heart of the show beautifully. Jon Bausor’s costume design is excellent and delivers well however the same isn’t true of their set design which is markedly different from the previous UK tour and does take the shine off the show. However Patrick Woodroffe’s lighting design is everything and more.  Special mention must go to Finn Ross and there stellar video design that adds an immersive element to the show thanks to onstage videographer Tom Samuels.

All in all this Bat out of Hell still delivers well thanks to the astonishing back catalogue from both Steinman and Meatloaf alongside so many others it’s just a shame some of the shine has come off the show, that being said for a night of pure rock that sizzles and gets the audience on their feet every time then hit the Playhouse for tickets to journey from never land right through hell and back again!

Bat Out of Hell The Musical, The Edinburgh Playhouse, Runs until Sunday 11th January 2025 for additional info and tickets go to: Bat Out Of Hell Tickets | Edinburgh Playhouse in Edinburgh | ATG Tickets

The Production will also visit The King’s Theatre Glasgow from Monday 7^th to Saturday 19^th April as well as touring the UK.