| What: The Rocky Horror Show When: April 7 to May 31, 2026 Where: Theatre on the Bay, Cape Town and then to Johannesburg Director: Steven Stead Set design: Greg King Choreography: Duane Alexander and Naoline Quinzin Cast: Craig Urbani (Frank-N-Furter), Léa Blerk (Janet), Robert Everson (Brad), Schoeman Smit (Riff Raff), Jasmine Minter (Magenta), Anna Olivier (Columbia), Natasha Sutherland (the Narrator), Micah Stokajovic (Rocky) and Zak Hendrikz (Eddie/Dr Scott) and ensemble: Miguel de Sampaio, Tjaart van der Walt, Cleo Wesley, Alessia Gironi, Taya Pearson, Gabi Knight and Sasha Duffy Tickets: From R200 Bookings: Webtickets or at Theatre on the Bay Box Office 0214383300 Presented by Pieter Toerien Productions in association with Luitingh Alexander Musical Theatre Academy (LAMTA) |
Astounding!
Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show – first staged in 1973 in London – has great bones as a musical. It’s so good that it’s hard to mess up a production, but it’s much, much harder to make it a standout from all the rest. In South Africa 2026, the staging, of Rocky Horror Show is a revelation. It is astounding. This is the best stage production that I have seen. It is fun, entertaining, an experience, but with that, there is a gritty and dark edge – a classic of musical theatre from the 70s, riffing off a contemporary zeitgeist. Wondrous ensemble work and solos and sublime harmonies, fringed with grit and gravelly and dark moments.
This must see production is on at Theatre on the Bay until May 31 and then it is off to Joburg. I chatted to some of the young people in the audience. They had not seen the stage production or the movie. And they loved it. They got it. Don’t Dream it – Be it. We can all dance and sing to that. Bravo Pieter Toerien and LAMTA for this co-production.
This visually and theatrically stunning production, is directed by Steven Stead, with plush set design by Greg King. Gorgeous costumes by Terence Bray – love the polka dots, range of fish net tights and OhMY that Floor Show Scene – a writhing mass of skin, red boas, sheer fun – referencing the free-spirited love that Frank-N-Furter so wished for. Knockout choreography by Duane Alexander and Naoline Quinzin
The on-stage band of young and talented musicians (early 20s to 30) is conducted by Kevin Kraak, who is visible from the gallery, to the audience. He also conducts the singers. Superb sound and sound balancing.
The cast is a yummy mash up of very young and talented and veteran and talented. Craig Urbani plays a brilliant Frank-N-Furter, Natasha Sutherland plays the Narrator; Léa Berk as Janet, Robert Everson as Brad; Schoeman Smit as Riff Raff, Jasmine Minter as Magenta/Usherette, Anna Olivier as Columbia. Urbani’s Craig’s stage presence is magnificent in his domineering style and machismo, simultaneously unhinged and tottering off kilter on stiletto’s, as his uninvited guests and laboratory experiment make it a night to remember.
Enchanting performances by the young and awesomely talented Léa Berk and Robert Everson. They bring about an energetic poignancy to Brad and Janet – two young innocent things – seduced on a dark and stormy night. They nail it in the seduction scenes with Frank, which is a sensual and erotic “coming of age”. Terrific comedic timing.
Micah Stojakovic plays Rocky but for the performance that we saw, the role was deliciously played by William Young, rippling his muscles, in his teeny gold lame shorts. A reader commented on my Facebook post, that he is her new crush. I want to go again to see this astounding production and also to see Micah Stojakovic.
Zak Hendrikz flexes his gorgeous muscles as Eddie and Dr Scott. His Dr Scott is emblematic of how hate lurks beneath the surface, always. Watch carefully for the reveal under the doctor’s wheelchair. People may not be what they seem, on the surface. And in terms of the hate rhetoric in the world right now, this strikes a chord; a disturbing flash amidst the fun and revelry. I have not seen this in other stage productions. It is a brilliant addition by Steven Stead, which resonates deeply, now.
Watching this production, I mulled over the history of this musical. Richard O’Brien wrote the musical – songs and lyrics and book – when he was 31. He was an out of work actor, between musical theatre gigs. O’Brien who was born in England, grew up in New Zealand – on a sheep farm. His family migrated there. Diving into his love and obsession of B grade horror films science fiction, Rocky Horror was born. And of course he drew on his own sense of being an outsider, on the fringes of society and his struggles to hone his sexual identity. So, yeah, there is a lot of deep stuff in this musical, beyond the surface of adventure, pleasure and fun, seeking the subversive and forbidden.
This Rocky Horror Show, South Africa 2026, works as a stand-alone production. For those that know the musical, there is the anticipation of the ping of knowing the gags and moments of participating if one wants to. It is often said that the audience is another character to Rocky. The challenge for the cast and band is to go with the flow and mood of the audience – and accommodate interruptions, applause and heckling. This is what live theatre is about. One doesn’t get this from a movie. Natasha Sutherland as the Narrator, Craig Urbani as Frank are the marshals for the audience, taking cues from us as we respond – or don’t. Urbani is magnificent as Frank who has lost his dream and is ultimately recalled, like our State Presidents. Sutherland, with her withering gaze and plummy accent is a delight. Keep your eyes peeled for her reveal at the end.
I think that one of the most extraordinary aspects of this production is that the set and setting (as gorgeous and sensuous as it is) does not overwhelm the narrative. It enhances it but doesn’t swamp it. It is not busy and doesn’t distract with animation and screens. Steven Stead explains: …Rocky Horror is the sum of its creators’ formative influences. For writer, Richard O’Brien, it was the B-grade science fiction and Hammer horror movies of his teenage years, and for original director, Jim Sharman, it was German Expressionist classic films like Metropolis and The Cabinet of Dr Caligari. These genres of film have greatly shaped the characters, narrative and style of The Rocky Horror Show. And it is the aesthetic and design of these films that has been our influence. Hence you will see elements of Expressionist Post-Modern architecture butting up against the organ pipes and gargoyles of schlock horror, creating a moving graphic novel for grown-ups. We also have taken a cue from the original 1973 production, and tried to create a bijou cinema, complete with rouched velveteen curtain, in which to contain the madness and mayhem.”
Regarding the costumes, Stead reflects: “The costumes are very much inspired by the original film designs, but the Floor Show costumes have an edgier, more contemporary aesthetic, incorporating BDSM fetish gear, in leather and lace. In costuming the revelling party-going Phantoms, we have used an entirely original set of designs, using gender-fluid deconstructed men’s formal-wear as the departure point. Look out for suiting materials, ties and traditional men’s underwear for hints of this.”
Pure theatre. Must see. Loved it.
✳ The Rocky Horror Show, South Africa 2026. Pics by Daniel R. Manners. Supplied
