The horror of homoerotica

The Rocky Horror Show is an institution and one of theatre’s most endearing and outrageously fun shows. While it’s essentially a rock’n’roll show it has also become an iconic brand that has defied the decades and continued to grow in popularity -” in no small part thanks to its nod to homoerotica.

Squeaky-clean sweethearts Brad and Janet knock on the door of an eerie house to use the phone after their car breaks down on a dark and stormy night. Little do they know they’ve just walked into a convention of beings from the planet transsexual. What ensues is a night of music, mayhem and naughtiness where fantasy becomes reality.

Like any on-stage production, casting has a huge influence on the performance’s success. The 2008 Australian production stars ARIA nominated singer/songwriter iOTA as the outrageous Frank N Furter, the much-loved Paul Capsis who plays Riff Raff the butler, and Mamma Mia star Kellie Rode as Janet.

This is the best cast for The Rocky Horror Show in its entire 35 year history. I absolutely love everyone in it, Capsis told the Sydney Star Observer.

You have iOTA as Frank. He is the best in the show’s history in my opinion; Tamsin Carroll, who plays my sister Magenta; Simon Farrow who is a god playing Rocky; Michael Cormick, Aussie West End star who is also a hunk, what more can I say?

Despite its debut over three decades ago, The Rocky Horror Show is still attracting a wide audience. Capsis explains it’s due to killer costumes, awesome music and the universal humour in the production.

It’s a full entertainment. I look out and see loads of young people out there laughing and grooving on, he said.

It’s incredible the noise in the theatre when the crowds cheer at the end of Time Warp and I get to sing it every night.

We are coming out of a most conserva-tive time in Australia -” the Howard years -” so young people are looking for what is out there and this show is way out there. It still does shock some people.

Rocky Horror discusses themes of sexuality through costume and content. The aliens coming from the planet transsexual puts ideas of gender ambiguity at the fore of the production.

People do come to the theatre and dress up and the dressing up gives people a chance to let go, Capsis said.

I’ve seen lots of scary hairy straight guys wear fishnets and feathers with their wives. That’s about sexuality whatever way you try and see it, at the end of the day it’s all about sex.

You should see the eyes bulge out when Rocky hits the stage. The gay boys and housewives almost have a fit. Then there’s Janet oozing gorgeousness in her sexy lingerie. It’s a lot of sexy fun.

The Rocky Horror Show is playing at Star City. Tickets: call Ticketmaster on 1300 795 267 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.au.