FOUR decades of stockings, sequins, maid outfits and men in corsets - and that’s just the audience.

The Rocky Horror Show is back and don’t we know it: the dressed up devoteees lined up outside the Liverpool Empire as much a part of the furniture as the flamboyant characters on stage.

From teenagers to pensioners, all itching to let the madness begin, just as it has been since 1973.

It’s the story of hapless, stranded sweethearts Brad (Ben Freeman) and Janet (Diana Vickers) who get lost in a storm. By chance  they end up at the castle of gender bending scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter. There is a party in full swing and life, as  Brad and Janet know it, is about to unravel, “in absolute pleasure” forever. 

From the word go the atmosphere is electric, the classic Science Fiction Double Feature and the Narrator (Steve Punt) treating us all to the well-timed classic Rocky Horror puns which are, of course, of adult nature and leave the crowd in stitches throughout.

We quickly meet the show’s main supporting character, Riff Raff. Kristian Lavercombe has made the role his own in more ways than one, having played Riff Raff nearly a thousand times more than even the creator, Richard O’Brien.

Much of the delight of the audience, it’s not long before we are doing the Time Warp: up and out of our seats, laughing and joking together, the whole Empire getting involved. 


Scandalously played by Liam Tamne, the star of the show is, of course, Dr Frank-N-Furter,  mad scientist and sweet transvestite from Transylvania who tonight will unveil Rocky, a man-made man, to the assembled throng.

With brilliant timing, stunning vocals and great crowd interactions, Tamne’s hilarious take on the role did Tim Curry’s original proud. At one point when Tamne performs I Can Make You a Man, an audience wag shouts out something suitably filthy, leaving the actor quivering with laughter.

Possibly the only down point was Diana Vickers’ interpretation of Touch Me. Was the excited Janet desperate for Rocky to touch her? After all it's the whole point of the song. Not on this occasion. I expected the crowd to sing a long as it is a fun, flirty number, but Vickers just didn’t quite seem in the fun, flirty mood.

Nevertheless, if you’re not left with your face hurting from smiling you have done something wrong. The Rocky Horror Show remains an incredible night, whether you’re a fan or not, and definitely worth a visit.

*The Rocky Horror Show runs until Saturday February 6.