 Media Credit: WWW.ROCKYHORROR.CO.UK
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 Media Credit: CIVICTHEATRE.COM A rockin´ good wild and sexy time at Rocky Horror.
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On-stage sex in a variety of positions, fabulous costumes, guys with eyeliner-what more could you ask from a night at the theatre?
October 30 and 31 marks the 30th anniversary of Richard O'Brien's
The Rocky Horror Show at Kola Note. You know you're in for a good time when, upon walking in, there's a stage in front of you, a bar behind you and half the audience is dressed to the nines in boas, tiaras and bellbottoms (for the non-tiara toting guys). This is without mentioning the fantastic pre-show music over the loudspeakers: a plethora of Billy Idol music, Sneaker Pimps' "Six Underground," and Placebo's "Nancy Boy." Yes, folks,
The Rocky Horror Show was going to be fun.
It became clear that the night would have an underground feel when the start time of eight o'clock really meant, "Anytime after eight they felt like starting." Ah, the rock show mentality.
Just when you're ready to pull out another cigarette and order another drink, you're greeted by Columbia (Nadia Verucci) in fabulous fishnets and the tiniest shorts you've ever seen, cheerfully making sure that you've got a program.
The show, capably directed by Barry O'Connell (who also plays Frank n Furter), opens with a spray paint-happy, rocked-up version of "Science Fiction/Double Feature," performed by Columbia, Magenta (Luisa Pepe), and the Phantoms, a six-person chorus in jealousy-provoking and just plain provocative costumes that range from Madonna's Virgin Tour to tattooed and bleeding-vampire Goths.
Immediately, Pepe's voice is the standout. She's described as a "scene-stealer," and that's no lie. She later shares the vocal spotlight with Eddie (Tanya Agostine) in a fantastic rendition of "Hot Patootie" and a loveable Rocky creature (James Allport).
The rest of the cast seems to have hopped out of a blender, a mix of standouts and those who seem to be looking forward to the end of the performance. The Phantoms are a great addition, singing, dancing and forming the occasional car seat. O'Connell has the Tim Curry speaking voice down pat and can certainly wear a platform heel better than this female critic ever has.
The underground feeling played out with technical sound difficulties during the first act. The cast handled the problems well, regardless. It was the actors responses to a certain group of Rocky-deflowered audience members that really showed whether they knew their stuff or not. On the whole, they did, complete with the friendly narrator (Alexandra Valassis) stripping when asked and quipping about her breasts, which seemed to have a fan club of their own.
With its rock-show feel, the production could benefit from either a much stronger sound system or more vocal performers. Those voices need to boom; the audience needs to feel them in their seats. Agostine's song was the only one that gave this feeling. Her performance really makes you wonder, damn, Frank, why'd you kill him?
It's not Broadway, but it's a good time and a perfect prelude to a wild evening for two. If you're not convinced, take it from my friend's end-of-show proclamation: "Damn, now I'm all horny!"
Just think of the possibilities.
Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show
runs October 30 and 31 at Kola Note (5240 Parc). The show starts at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $20, $16 for students.
