By Richard James of Sussex News
As a serious Rocky Horror Fan, I am always dubious about any shows that are based on this cult classic, but last night’s TIME WARP EXTRAVAGANZA wasn’t just a tribute—it was a full-throttle, glitter-drenched celebration of everything that makes The Rocky Horror Picture Show a cult phenomenon. Held at The Ironworks Studio, this drag and dance spectacle didn’t just reimagine the iconic story—it reinvented it for a new generation of misfits, lovers, and late-night dancers.
From the moment the curtain lifted, it was clear this wasn’t your average tribute show. The cast—each one a powerhouse in stilettos—delivered jaw-dropping performances with razor-sharp choreography, razor-thinner waistlines, and wigs that could defy gravity. Leading the pack was the night’s Frank-N-Furter, whose strut could rival Tim Curry’s and whose vocals turned “Sweet Transvestite” into a standing ovation-worthy number.
What made The Time Warp Extravaganza truly unique was its fusion of classic drag pageantry and contemporary dance theatre. The Phantoms didn’t just fill space—they owned it, breaking into house, voguing, and burlesque numbers that pulled the crowd into the show’s very fabric. Audience participation was not only encouraged—it was demanded. And when “The Time Warp” began, the whole venue moved as one, hips swinging and arms flailing, as if caught in a glittery gravitational field.
Visually, the show was a feast—think corsets, neon strobes, smoke machines, and the kind of set design that would make a Broadway producer blush. But behind the spectacle was real heart. Beneath the fishnets and falsies, the production embraced Rocky Horror’s deeper themes of self-discovery, sexual liberation, and chosen family, updating them with a knowing wink for today’s audience.
In short, THE TIME WARP EXTRAVAGANZA wasn’t just a show—it was a cultural reset. Equal parts wild, wicked, and wonderful, it proves that Rocky Horror is still the bold, beating heart of queer theatre—and that drag, at its best, is an unstoppable force of expression and joy.
Reviewers Score: A Damn it Janet 5 star show.
Reviewers Verdict: Fierce, fabulous, and filthy in all the right ways. Whether you’re a seasoned Sweet Transvestite or a Rocky Horror virgin, this spectacle demands to be seen—and danced through. Just don’t forget your fishnets.
