The challenge with a legendary show like Rocky Horror is living up to people’s memories of it. This production doesn’t just meet those expectations… it dances straight past them in fishnets and heels.
South Africa (15 June 2026) – Rocky Horror Show is like Bryan Adams. Bear with me here. Last night we were invited to the opening of Richard O’ Brien’s Rocky Horror Show.
The first time I ever “experienced” Rocky Horror was in Primary School. I was in Grade 2. It was in our “end of year” play. All the grades did a different movie/musical. I think we did Buddy Holly. I can’t remember exactly. It wasn’t that memorable. But the Standard 5s (Grade 7s) did Rocky Horror. Fishnets and all. Very memorable.
“So, come up to the lab, and see what’s on the slab! I see you shiver with antici…….. pation.”
And I know what you’re thinking. How the hell did the teachers think that was a good idea? Blame it on the 90s. We did some wild things back then.
Since then, I have seen so many iterations of the show. Both locally and abroad. More Frank-N-Furters than I can count. I also worked at a Wedding Venue in high school, so we did the Time Warp on most Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Oh ja, Andrew’s last big birthday was a Rocky Horror Show theme. You may not know this, but he was in the original touring production. Way back then. When he was an actor. So he dressed as Frank-N-Furter. And I was Rocky. I still have those golden shorts in my cupboard. Just in case. You never know.
I digress. Jammer.
Last night we walked into Monte with all the who’s who to experience a bold new production of the show presented by Pieter Toerien Productions in association with the Luitingh Alexander Musical Theatre Academy (LAMTA) and directed by Steven Stead.
Opening nights are always a vibe.
But I’m not going to lie. I was not 100% in it. It’s a Sunday. It’s Winter. It’s also been a long weekend. A long week. A long month. I was moeg. I’ve seen “it” before. MANY times! But we had RSVP’d. And so, we had to go.
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Familiar. Exciting. Excited. Happy. Really happy. Like reconnecting with an old friend you haven’t seen in years.
“I was ready, if I may, to be taken on a strange journey…”
This production is brilliant. It felt new. It somehow manages to honour everything people love about Rocky Horror while making it feel completely fresh. And fun! And even though the press release calls it “bold”… it really is! The cast were superb! Geez Louise, South Africans are so bladdy talented. Léa Blerk and Robert Everson were captivating. Anna Power (as the narrator) is un-flipping-real. She commands a stage and an audience with such ease. Schoeman Smit, Jasmine Minter and Anna Olivier were so good! The entire cast. Every single one of them. Just unreal. And of course, Craig Urbani. Gosh, he is one of the best Frank-N-Furters I have ever seen. And I am not saying that because he is my friend. He is brilliant. BRILLIANT!
We laughed. And bopped along to the songs. And clapped. And yelled. And had the best time.
But Brenty, where does Bryan Adams fit in?
Bryan Adams has toured South Africa 14 times. That is A LOT for one artist. Especially since he’s not from here. He rolls around every couple of years. And every time I have seen him, it feels the same but different. Familiar, yet exciting. BryBry makes me happy.
I think I also correlate BryBry with Rocky Horror because one of the grades (in that end-of-year play) did a Robin Hood vibe. Ja, “everything I do”.
Friends, Rocky Horror is in town right now (until August). And even if it’s a cold night, and even though “you’ve seen it before”, and you might think twice about wanting to go… you absolutely have to (go see it).
This production feels new. It is bold. And fun.
I promise you… it will suck you in, warm you up and leave you feeling so damn happy.
“There’s no crime in giving yourself over to pleasure.”
GO. SEE. IT!
Okay. Love you. Bye.
by 
