| Let’s do the Victory Time Warp |
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| Written by Lucille Davie | |
| Thursday, 17 January 2008 | |
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The legendary Rocky Horror Show is back at the revamped Victory Theatre, its third run at the venue. 
Brendan van Rhyn plays Frank 'n' Furter in fishnet stockings and 10cm heels
PULL out your fishnet stockings and the highest heels you have, make your way to the Victory Theatre in Houghton, and get ready to do the Time Warp. Yes, the Rocky Horror Show is back in town, for its third run at the theatre in the past 16 years. It kicks up its heels on 12 February and takes off its tights at the end of March. The cast includes popular singer Tamara Dey playing Magenta. Ryan Flynn plays Brad; Lorri Glejchen plays Janet, Lyall Ramsden is Riff Raff and Brendan van Rhyn is Frank-n-Furter. It is directed by Maralin Vanrenen, who describes her cast as "luscious" and the rehearsals as "fabulous". Rehearsals have just begun and already the cast appears to have bonded. "We have been spoilt for choice," she says. "They are so talented." Vanrenen recently directed Menopause and Mile High with Cathy Specific. Rocky Horror is set in a mysterious castle. Engaged couple Brad and Janet break down in a storm; they stumble upon the castle and nervously knock on the door in search of help. It is opened by Riff Raff, a hunchback handyman. Once inside, the wholesome young couple is introduced to Frank-n-Furter, a bisexual mad scientist. 
Tamara Dey takes the role of Magenta
The castle's inhabitants hail from the far-off galaxy of Transylvania, and it is here on Earth that Frank-n-Furter has discovered his life's passion. As Brad and Janet arrive, he is about to unveil his creation, the gorgeous Rocky. And then the fun starts and Brad and Janet will never be the same again. The show was first staged in London in 1973, and was adapted for film in 1975. It was written by Richard O'Brien, and brought to the stage by Jim Sharman. Its songs have become classics, particularly Science Fiction Double Feature; Sweet Transvestite; Dammit, Janet; Time Warp; and I Can Make you a Man. The Rocky Horror Show was last staged at the Victory in 1997, to packed houses, and before that in 1992, although it has been seen at the Barnyard Theatre. In 1997 audiences came dressed up, sang along to the songs and "almost performed along with the cast", a tradition that is followed around the world wherever the show is staged or the movie shown. In its long history – the Victory Theatre dates back to the 1920s – it has become famous for shows like Andre the Hypnotist, Great Pretenders and Ipitombi. The revamped Victory Theatre opened in June 2007 to the beats of Africa with Umoja, the baby of Joe Theron, who is now its owner. Theron bought the theatre in 2004 and has spent R29-million largely demolishing the structure and rebuilding a new 470-seat theatre, this time with a jazz bar and a 460-seat restaurant that flows up on to the roof, giving views over Norwood and Sandton. 
Ryan Flynn plays Brad and Lorri Glejchen is Janet There is a new balcony and a slightly larger stage, and with its plush black carpeting and the original seats covered in black leather, it's a valuable addition to the city's stock of theatres. It has, however, managed to retain its intimacy from the old days. It has four levels of parking, accessible from Louis Botha Avenue, with direct access to the theatre. The Rocky Horror Show is at the Victory Theatre on Louis Botha Avenue, in Houghton, from 12 February to the end of March.
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