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Post by Matt on Sept 19, 2024 6:28:38 GMT
Saw the show last night, I got a last minute stalls ticket from the box office for £30. I am very very tired of seeing the same production, set, etc, but I’ve seen this show more than I’ve seen any other so I’ll always catch it when it tours.
Jason Donovan was… interesting. Vocally I thought he did really well with the songs, but I have no idea what he envisioned Frank to be like. Frank is sexy and dominant, Jason’s was played more like riffraff, meandering around the stage almost hunch-back, slurring his words, staggering around, playing him like an old drunk ex-rock star. At times I really did question if he was actually drunk, because it was definitely a weird choice on his side and so far from what you recognise rocky to be. He was racing through his lines, not giving opportunity for shout outs, and even made yawning gestures when people did shout out. He really didn’t seem a fan of the audience participation, but I’m sorry, this is rocky horror and you’re the main character, you have to be on board with it.
Mawaan Rizwan, who I love anyway, was a great narrator and was definitely there with the adlibs. It was refreshing to see a new riffraff after all these years, which was refreshing. The decision to put Janet in a black/brunette wig was an interesting choice though.
I had a fun night, I always will with this show, but it needs to be pulled apart from the inside.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 19, 2024 7:13:38 GMT
Jason Donovan needs to stop being cast in musicals. He just cannot do it anymore.
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Post by kit66 on Sept 19, 2024 7:56:36 GMT
I saw him in The Rocky Horror Show at the Victoria Palace in (gulp) 1999 giving the same performance.He was terrible then and glad to hear he hasn't improved over time.
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Post by blamerobots on Sept 19, 2024 8:23:05 GMT
I'm sure they'll gun for Marti Pellow next year.
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Post by unseaworthy on Sept 19, 2024 9:20:01 GMT
This would be so much more fun in a tiny theatre, the Dominion is too big
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Post by Matt on Sept 19, 2024 9:30:42 GMT
This would be so much more fun in a tiny theatre, the Dominion is too big Energy was amazing last night though, I thought it worked very well in that size. |
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Post by Deal J on Sept 19, 2024 13:41:39 GMT
Jason's performance does seem to be polarizing - I thought he added some much-needed variety to the copy-and-paste production.
I too saw him back in the nineties, and I found this interpretation to be fitting in that his Frank was more world-weary, jaded, and more cruel. Drunk and possibly coked-up (I mean the character, of course!), perhaps even something of a reference to the times Jason has been battling his own demons. It made a refreshing change to the more glamorous Franks of recent years, but I can see why many don't like it (including some of the regulars I spoke to).
I set my expectations very low when it came to Riff-Raff, only because Kristian has been in the role for so long I knew it would feel peculiar seeing anyone else in that role. Even so, I have to say I struggled with Job Greuter's interpretation - he played Riff less maniacal, which I didn't enjoy so much. I expect they've done it because Jason is now playing Frank with many of Riff's characteristics, they might need Riff less unhinged to balance out the two.
Mawaan Rizwan was a splendid Narrator, serious during his scripted lines and super sassy when responding to the audience call-outs. Lovely new blond highlights too.
The rest of the cast were all marvelous, especially Morgan Jackson who looks like he was born (or possibly created?!) to play Rocky as he fits the character so well - incredible body, a great singer and astonishing gymnastics. Arguably the sexiest Rocky Horror since Dominic Andersen, my Apple Watch buzzed to tell me my heart rate had sharply increased during Sword of Damocles, so that's my review of his performance in a nutshell!
It was great to see the show back in the West End, the atmosphere at the Dominion was fantastic, but I expect it must feel quite different on the weekdays where there are significantly more unsold seats in such a large theatre. I'm sure I won't be able to resist yet another trip when the tour is more local, but for now I shall de-activate my transit crystal and hang my stockings up to dry.
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Post by doctorshaw on Oct 24, 2024 22:43:12 GMT
I was so incredibly disappointed by this tour (just seen it in York). Jason Donovan was barely audible over the music (although that could be a technical issue and not his fault). He seemed as disinterested as I felt by the end of it. The narrator was the only redeeming feature - very quick with the retorts and anyone who can get away with comparing Jimmy Savile to Mother Theresa deserves credit for comedic audacity. I've not seen previous versions but one member of my party saw it several times in the 70s/80s/90s including with Tim Curry and McInnerny on tour and said the sets and effects were significantly better back then. This time round they looked worse than sets I've seen in regional pantomime. If you've not seen it before, then please don't waste your money. If you have and are a fan, then please consider preserving your fond memories of better casts and productions, and skip this one.
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Post by ladidah on Oct 25, 2024 10:34:02 GMT
It's a huge venue to fill, is it selling well?
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Post by james1969 on Oct 25, 2024 11:30:32 GMT
It's a huge venue to fill, is it selling well? What venue are you referring to ? It’s a tour and generally sells well athoough would sell better if there was a greater gap between returning to the same venue |
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Post by ontheboards on Oct 25, 2024 11:34:57 GMT
Saw this at The Dominion and thought it was absolutely brilliant so hope it's doing well on tour. Not a weak link in the cast and tons of fun, audience went wild
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Post by ladidah on Oct 25, 2024 11:51:18 GMT
Oh sorry, still thought it was at the Dominion, capitalising on Halloween
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Post by james1969 on Oct 25, 2024 15:54:52 GMT
I did a mad 24 hour trip to the Dominion from Belfast as Jason isn’t billed to appear at the Grand Opera House next year. Really glad I made the effort (and I generally don’t like him in shows as he’s inclined to just go through the motions) He’s now announced Dublin so looks like I’ll be seeing him again so lucky I   |
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