Shane had a very successful 2 weeks as Frank in the Rocky Horror Show at the
Regent on Broadway, Palmerston North
If you went to see it and would like to write a review email it to us and we
will put it on the website, unfortunately the webmistress didn’t get to see it because she is stuck on the other side of the planet - Janet...
Thanks to Keely for this wonderful review:
I came, I saw. I was conquered... by a spunk in tights.... who would have
thought.... I laughed, I cried (tears of laughter) especially when Rocky (Bede
Skinner) came out in his white G string. (I went to the show with some (gay)
friends, their tongues were just about on the floor, I nearly fell off my seat
I was laughing so hard.
But to be more serious, Rocky Horror rocked. Shane Cortese astounded me as
Frank, what a powerful voice, I can see how he would be a sensational Elvis.
His comic timing and audience interaction was fantastic... From the minute the
bass guitar started the beat for his entrance, the audience was on the edge of
their seats, ready to be enthralled, excited, and just plain entertained.
Nobody was disappointed, and for a fact I think Shane blew most people right
out of their corsets and fishnet stockings. He certainly rivaled Tim Curry's
performance in the movie. Nobody wanted Frank to die, most people would have
done anything, and I mean anything for a few more minutes of Rocky Horror style
entertaining.
Before the show started, the audience was accosted by transylvanians, who all
manged to keep poker faces, as they slithered over, sat on and embarrased
audience members, much to the delight of friends and family with them. The ushers (Katte Johsnton and Carrie Green) delighted all with their abrasive,
funny and crass comments, it set the whole atmosphere for the show.
Special mention must go to Kane Parsons (riff raff) and Joanne Steward
(Magenta). Joanne as always was note perfect, and her accent was spot on. She
has a natural talent, and plays her roles with what appears to be great ease.
Kane played Riff Raff so instinctively it was scary.... (if you shut your eyes,
you would swear it was Richard O'Brien up there) Open them, quite obviously
not, Kane has way too much hair and is just a trifle younger. Richard Long was
surprising as the narrator, there is more to him than just a news reader, and
his legs aren't too bad either!
As Brad, Regan Taylor was delightful, and Ingrid Park's Janet was superb.
The show was performed on a simple tiered set, which worked perfectly, allowing
for seamless scene changes. For once, the sound was good too, no obvious
microphone failures, and the band was just fantastic.
From the start of the show, right to the end, it was a thoroughly entertaining
experience. I can't wait for the next show that Shane appears in.... I will be
there with fishnets on....
and to rosina for this one:
mmmmmm, what can I say,
Rocky horror was so good that I ended up going three times and It was better
every time.
Rocky really looked (and sounded) the part and as any women who went to see it would say Frank was a real spunk.
In fact when I went to the last show one lady decided to yell out "you’re so sexy Shane" in the middle of the show.
The transylvanians were really good as they set the mood by coming out and embarrassing the audience.
Janet and Brad were great at the nerd look. Riff Raff was an exact sound alike to Richard O-Brian's
Riff Raff.
I personally liked the chain saw.
When I first heard they were changing the Time Warp I though OH NO but surprisingly it wasn't to bad.
Richard Long was a natural, perhaps not as much in those fish nets as Frank, but he had a certain narrator sound to him and the idea of Richard Long taking out milk bottles gave a NZ twist.
I was told by the people at the Regent that they could pay the cast twice with the money I spent on tickets,
I will do the same again if is worth it and I think any show with the right cast is worth it. This was
definitely one of these shows "you just gotta see twice (or three times as the case may be)"
ROCKY HORROR IS DEFINITLY A SHOW TO SEE LIVE!!
