IF anything was going to blow away the cobwebs of lockdown it was The Rocky Horror Show on stage at the Mayflower Theatre.

Directed by Christopher Luscombe, the show’s 25 date UK tour reached Southampton on July 16, where it will play until July 24.

Last night (July 19) I saw the cast – including Strictly Come Dancing’s Ore Oduba - delight and I think genuinely surprise its audience.

Maybe I should speak for myself – it was my first time seeing the stage version and I did not expect it to be so risqué.

Daily Echo: Audience members Daniel, Harriet and Jade at the interval of The Rocky Horror Show at The Mayflower (July 2021.)Audience members Daniel, Harriet and Jade at the interval of The Rocky Horror Show at The Mayflower (July 2021.)

Though perhaps not one to see with family, the audience included people of all ages and the entire (socially distanced) crowd were brought quickly to their feet by the iconic ‘time warp’ dance and other classics.

The powerful vocals of Haley Flaherty (playing the self-restrained Janet) and Stephen Webb (as Frank N Furter) were my favourite parts of the show.

The live band with musical arrangements from Emmy award winning composer Richard Hartley was another highlight.

Daily Echo: Audience members at The Rocky Horror Show at The Mayflower (July 2021.)Audience members at The Rocky Horror Show at The Mayflower (July 2021.)

Though a cult-classic musical, narrator Philip Franks kept the show current with injections of political references throughout.

The first came in one of the first few lines. – “I would like, if I may to take you on a strange journey...almost as strange as one of Boris Johnson’s lockdown U-turns.”

Daily Echo: Audience members Daniel, Harriet and Jade at the interval of The Rocky Horror Show at The Mayflower (July 2021.)Audience members Daniel, Harriet and Jade at the interval of The Rocky Horror Show at The Mayflower (July 2021.)

Something that made the show particularly special was the reactions of fans – many in fancy dress, who seemed overjoyed to be back in the theatre after so long.

Audience member Harriet Clarke said of theatre performances: “It’s the little things you miss. Like the audience participation. It’s amazing to be back.”

One of the most beautiful scenes of the night was the audience streaming out of the theatre, energised and laughing.

Daily Echo: Audience members Daniel, Harriet and Jade at the interval of The Rocky Horror Show at The Mayflower (July 2021.)Audience members Daniel, Harriet and Jade at the interval of The Rocky Horror Show at The Mayflower (July 2021.)

The cast put on an amazing performance and provided a welcome relief to Southampton theatre goers after the pressures of the last year.