REVIEW | Rocky Horror Show, Teatre Coliseum - Barcelona

Reviews

5 Nov

Written by Laura

The Rocky Horror Show is celebrating its 50th year with a world tour, introducing this beloved show to new audiences daily. Created by Richard O’Brien, the musical originally premiered in 1973 in London and has maintained its status as a cult classic, with performances spanning across 30 countries and counting. It’s impossible not to mention its famous film adaptation starring Tim Curry, released in 1975, which is still screened at theaters worldwide during interactive viewing parties, complete with props and witty responses to the characters' lines.

The show arrived in Barcelona at the Teatre Coliseum on October 24th, for a limited run until November 5th, in its original English version, which is a rarity in Spain. Typically, productions are adapted for national audiences, with librettos translated into Spanish or Catalan. To accommodate its audience, The Rocky Horror Show included Spanish subtitles that were expertly synchronized with the actors' lines. It's worth noting that the actors incorporated Catalan and Spanish words and expressions into the performance, which added a delightful and thoughtful touch to the show; the audience really appreciated it.

Although I had previously seen the movie adaptation and attended viewing parties in Barcelona, nothing had prepared me for the experience of seeing the show live!

First, let's talk about the sets, which I believe are the same ones used in the 40th anniversary production. They are simple yet effective, perfectly tailored for a touring production. It's evident that the set designer, Hugh Durrant, embraced the show's campiness in the design, from the initial set where we meet Janet and Brad in their cardboard car to the shiny tinsel foil curtains in Frank-N-Furter's mansion. The use of lights in the design, especially during Frank's entrance and the mansion/spaceship takeoff, was truly impressive.

Finding specific information about the cast proved somewhat challenging. While they offer a program at the theater featuring the 50th-anniversary cast, I couldn't find details about the current cast, which has been altered for this specific run. I reached out to the official tour Instagram for information, which they graciously provided. However, it would be helpful to clearly state the cast before each performance.

Richard Meek portrayed Frank-N-Furter throughout the Barcelona run. He delivered a lively and magnetic performance. His sweeter-sounding voice initially felt somewhat out of place, being perhaps more suited to his usual role of Brad. However, his voice darkened as the show progressed, adding a fitting raspiness to the character by the end of the second act. His rendition of "I'm Going Home" was exceptional.

Reece Budin, who usually plays a "Phantom" in the show, was a delightful surprise as Brad, offering a rich sound and an outstanding voice that he expertly controlled throughout the show. His Brad was very enjoyable to watch, with his captivating performance being a clear highlight of the show for me. The entire cast displayed remarkable chemistry, and their choreography was flawlessly synchronized, both with each other and with the splendid band.

Regrettably, the Barcelona audience didn't engage with the actors and the Narrator in the same way I've seen UK audiences do, likely due to the language barrier. There were a few amusing retorts at the beginning, but for the most part, the audience remained quiet, except by uproarious laughter. There were plenty of audience members in costume, who received free shots as rewards; however, I believe the audience's enthusiasm manifested differently compared to typical Rocky Horror Show fans. Nonetheless, everyone eagerly stood up to dance and sing during the Time Warp/Sweet Transvestite reprise, a highlight that concluded the show with one last interaction with the audience.

This is a show that you must experience at least once in your lifetime!

The Rocky Horror Show might be coming to a city near you in the future. Click here to check their tour dates.