Could be worse," ad-libbed tonight's guest narrator Brian Capron (aka Coronation Street baddie Richard Hillman). "It could be panto." In truth, this revival isn't far off. Dressed in his quilted smoking jacket, Capron himself looks like he's taken a wrong turn at Baron Hardup and is embarrassed to find himself in a different kind of production entirely.
In contrast, David Bedella plays Frank 'N' Furter with huge relish (no pun intended) and great enjoyment in his own performance, but fails to engage with the ambiguities of the character. Matthew Cole and understudy Sarah Boulton (standing in for an apparently indisposed Suzanne Shaw) make the best of the wooden roles of Brad and Janet and the rest of the cast, especially Iain Davey's Riff-Raff and Julian Essex-Spurrier's Rocky, give enthusiastic and vigorous support - frequently at ear-splitting volume, due to over-amplification.
However, although everyone seems to be having a great time on stage, their enjoyment too often fails to convey itself to the front stalls - to the point where the second half drags terribly.
To be fair, perhaps the problem lies less with the cast than the show itself. When Bedella first appears wrapped up in a huge velvet cloak, we all know what lies beneath, and the sight of a man dressed in basque and stockings simply doesn't have the shock value it bore 34 years ago.
Most of the songs still stand the test of time, but what was so original in 1973 has become traditional, the catcalls from the diehard fans in the audience are now almost as obligatory as the cries of "Look behind you!" in pantomime, and nostalgia has undoubtedly done much to maintain the appeal of the show.
"It's not easy having a good time," Frank 'N' Furter sighs at one point. True - but it shouldn't be this hard either.
Until 27 Jan, Panton St, SW1 (0870 060 6637, www.rockyhorror.co.uk), Mon-Thu 8pm, Fri-Sat 6pm & 9pm, £15.00-£42.50.
The Rocky Horror Show
The Harold Pinter Theatre
Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN
