Rocky Horror Picture Show – Bord Gáis Energy Theatre – Review
11 – 16 August 2025

A naïve and innocent young couple, Brad Majors (Connor Carson) and Janet Weiss (Lauren Chia), get a flat tyre on their way to visit their high school teacher. The couple set out to find a telephone and walk to a nearby castle where they stumble upon a world of transvestites, mad scientists and even a dazzling creation by the name of Rocky. Yes, it’s time to do the Time Warp again…

This production of the Rocky Horror Picture Show has a touch of star power, with “Australian superstar” Jason Donovan on board. He plays the role of Frank-N-Furter. There is also some local talent with radio/ TV star Jennifer Zamparelli taking the role of the Narrator.  Surprisingly, we only got one mention of a local celebrity (Marty Morrissey) in her monologue!

The Rocky Horror Picture Show was first performed in 1973, with music and book by Richard O’Brien. It was only two years later that the film was released, in 1975. From an initial budget of $1.4m, it went on to gross $166m at the box office. If you’re talking about cult films, it’s right up there. Irish audiences of a certain age will remember the sadly departed Classic cinema on Friday nights.

Jason Donovan stars in the role of the sweet transvite Frank-N-Furter. He’s been on quite a journey since his days as Scott in Neighbours, where he starred opposite Kylie Minogue. Frank-N-Furter is a role he is familiar with, as he played it in a 1998 stage production also. He has sufficient charisma on stage to battle against the memories of Tim Curry.

One of the highlights of the show is the audience participation. For those who dressed up in fishnet stockings to go to a play on a Monday night, we salute you! Jennifer Zamparelli dealt well with the comments shouted from the floor of the house, pausing her monologue in all the right places. This was one of the stronger productions of the now classic play I’ve seen, and  Lauren Chia as Janet and Job Greuter as Riff Raff deserve a special mention. I suspect you could split the demographic of those who will see this production into two halves. There will be fans of Jason Donovan and fans of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. It will bring a few new faces to the 52-year-old play, which can only be a good thing.