Review: The Rocky Horror Show at The Bristol Hippodrome
Posted on: 14 Jul 2026The Rocky Horror Show has arrived at The Bristol Hippodrome for a week run from 13-18 July 2026 and our reviewer Kay Beckey gave it the full 5 Stars. Check out her review below!
Delightfully chaotic- forget everything you know about theatre, The Rocky Horror Show is like no other. The theatrics started even before entering the theatre, with audience members donning their suspenders, corsets, glitter and fishnets. The audiences willingness to embrace the shows eccentric spirit created a sense of excitement that was contagious. The enthusiasm continued throughout the show, with audience members continuing the tradition of heckling characters, which is usually a theatre no no. Rather than disrupting the performance, these witty exchanges elevated the performances and created the ultimate interactive theatrical appearance. We must point out though, the tradition of throwing toast at the cast is not permitted in this run!
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The show opens with Lucy Bird as the Usherette, and from the moment the curtain parts, she captivates the audience with a stunning rendition of “Science Fiction/Double Feature.” Instantly, we’re transported into the nostalgic world of 1950s B-movies, setting the tone perfectly for the wonderfully bizarre journey ahead. While her opening number is impressive, Bird truly comes into her own as Magenta, the mischievous Transylvanian servant, alongside her brother Riff Raff, brilliantly played by Jesse Chidera. Together, they make a deliciously eccentric duo, faithfully serving the enigmatic Frank-N-Furter while injecting every scene with humour and personality. Bird’s vocals are consistently powerful, but it’s her wonderfully exaggerated, sardonic delivery of Magenta’s spoken lines that really steals the spotlight.
Every quip lands perfectly, making her one of the most memorable and entertaining characters of the entire production.
Hayley Flaherty returns as the sweetly naive Janet, alongside James Bisp as her clean-cut fiancé, Brad. Freshly engaged and cocooned in their picture-perfect romance, the pair’s journey takes an unexpected turn when a flat tyre leaves them stranded on a stormy night. Seeking refuge in a mysterious castle, they innocently step through its doors, blissfully unaware that their evening—and their lives—are about to descend into deliciously chaotic madness. Waiting to greet them is the one and only Frank-N-Furter, brought gloriously to life by Stephen Webb.
From the moment he swept onto the stage, dripping in sequins, confidence and unapologetic flamboyance, he completely owned the room. Webb’s magnetic stage presence was impossible to resist, commanding every glance and every laugh with effortless charisma. His show-stopping rendition of Sweet Transvestite was dripping with wit, confidence and vocal power. Equal parts outrageous, hilarious and utterly captivating, his performance became the glittering heart of the production.
The narrator (Nathan Caron) was particularly impressive, effortlessly bouncing off the crowd and delivering sharp, well-timed jokes of his own. His contemporary political references felt fresh and relevant, drawing big laughs without overshadowing the classic humour that has made The Rocky Horror Picture Show a cult favourite. His quick wit and confident stage presence ensured there was never a dull moment, keeping the audience engaged from beginning to end.
The Rocky Horror Show truly is theatre like you’ve never experienced before (unless you’re a die hard Rocky fan of course). When the opening notes of Timewarp rang out, any sense of theatre etiquette was abandoned. The entire auditorium leapt to its feet, throwing themselves into what can only be described as the most gloriously chaotic rendition of the dance I’ve ever witnessed. Arms and legs flew in every direction, with varying levels of success—but thankfully, the cast knew exactly what they were doing. If you want a night of razzle-dazzle fun, Rocky Horror is the place to be!
5/5 stars!