Pictures from the Media Night of MHMT's Rocky Horror Show.--News Photo Anna Smith
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
The Rocky Horror Show is a difficult performance to pull off.
The script itself leans hard into its own sense of absurdity and camp, often pushing actors to the limits of their capability. If a performer hesitates at all in the name of preserving their own dignity, the act falls short, making them look more foolish than they would pouring their whole heart into the role. It demands not only talent and hard work, but complete earnestness.
Medicine Hat Musical Theatre’s production of this science fiction single feature delivers on all three.
It is almost impossible to pick a standout actor from the lineup, with every named character and ensemble alike bringing a powerful, high energy performance that oozes personality in every movement.
From Luc D’lppolito giving everything an audience could want from the flamboyant and confident Frank-n-Furter despite his admittedly bedazzled air-cast, to Chynna Cannon’s Janet who transforms from innocent passivity to confident sensuality, the characters truly give a fresh look at familiar faces from this cult classic.
Overall, there is a sense of playfulness to the work, giving the audience an implicit permission to laugh, cheer and clap even when the characters are in dire straits. Noah Smith’s Brad may be masterfully vulnerable in his ballad, or when trying to cover himself in the opening of the floor show, but the overarching feeling of mischief allows those observing it to pair their empathy with a grin.
Those who know Rocky Horror know what to expect plot wise from the raunchy, unapologetic story, but the MHMT crew has breathed new life into the show, managing both a sense of nostalgia and novelty.
Beyond the actors, the brilliant set continues the energy, marrying the deep, gothic elements of Frankenstein’s castle and laboratory with colourful bright lights, generous amounts of smoke and playful cutouts for characters to peek out of. The set elements are used to great effect, especially during musical numbers, creating something that’s half the set of a horror film and half nightclub: precisely where it needs to be.
Watching the bright red divan used as transport and lounging area alike was of particular delight in a way only musicals can bring.
Those fortunate enough to attend this performance should consider looking into some of the scripted audience participation segments, which are so popular during midnight showings of the film version of the tale. The Rocky Horror Show is lightly interactive, the actors well prepared for what viewers will only occasionally literally throw at them.
MHMT has wisely chosen to lean into the phenomenon by selling small prop bags, making the enthusiasm of those in the house not only as free of shame as Brad and Janet are encouraged to be, but a part of the performance itself, adding jokes and an even deeper sense of investment.
A word to the wise: invest in the prop bag, gather your supplies and read your included instructions before the lights go down. Feeling in on the mischief truly makes an already memorable experience all the better.
