Richard O'Brien's Rocky Horror Tribute Show

Writer/actor Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show began life as a British musical before gaining legendary status as an American cult classic film. In this 35th anniversary tribute, O'Brien brings the show back home to London's Royal Court Theatre in a 2006 fundraiser for Amnesty International. After O'Brien's introduction, the tribute kicks off with Patricia Quinn, who first sang the prologue “Science Fiction/Double Feature” in 1973. Going forward, seven narrators (including O'Brien) set the scene for performances by Michael Ball and Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Anthony Head (as Dr. Frankenfurter), Stephen Gately and The Young Ones' Adrian Edmondson (Brad), Joanne Farrell and Sophie Lawrence (Janet), Gary Amers (as Rocky, Frank's monster), and Julian Littman (as Dr. Scott, Brad's mentor). Kraig Thornber (Riff Raff), Amy Field (Columbia), Toyah Wilcox (Magenta), and Ben Richards (Eddie) add to the sci-fi-meets-horror fun as Frank's assistants-cum-groupies. For the finale, “Time Warp—Reprise,” O'Brien returns as Riff Raff and Nell Campbell as Columbia. Since this is a musical revue, no fancy sets or expository sequences are used (hence O'Brien's newly-penned narration), although the cast does execute a few dance moves to “Time Warp.” But fans of the music—presented in Dolby Digital stereo—will enjoy this stroll down memory lane featuring now-classic songs such as “Dammit, Janet,” “Sweet Transvestite,” “Hot Patootie—Bless My Soul,” “Don't Dream It, Be It,” and “Toucha, Toucha, Touch Me.” Recommended. Aud: P. (K. Fennessy)