The Rocky Horror Show: Review

The Grand Theatre in Luxembourg-Limpertsberg is putting on a six-performance run of The Rocky Horror Show; the opening two performances were on Tuesday 30 and Wednesday 31 December, with the remaining shows on Friday 2 and Saturday 3 January 2026 at 15:00 and 19:30.

The Trafalgar Entertainment production - Trafalgar Theatre Productions puts on shows from Kiss Me Kate, The King and I, and The Merchant of Venice 1936 to Clueless - is part of the 50th Anniversary World Tours of The Rocky Horror Show which was originally written by Richard O'Brien and premiered in London in June 1973 (the film adaptation, The Rocky Horror Picture Show hit the screen in August 1975).

https://www.trafalgarentertainment.com/trafalgar-theatre-productions/

The production's enduring appeal lies in its ability to provide an outlet for self-expression, allowing fans to become part of the performance through call-backs, costumes and props, creating a tradition that feels both rebellious and comforting. Both the stage production and the film adaptation have stood the text of time as it was originally conceived for "misfits" and social outcasts, celebrating what it meant to be different. It has since become a cult classic which has amassed a devoted following, many of whom dress up as the characters, sing along with the songs, and quote the dialogue. It represents a subculture and carries a message of acceptance, it is camp and it addresses gender transgression, the music is iconic and it encourages outrageous dressing up and audience participation. It is also a spoof and pays homage of the sci-fi and Horror genre of the 1950s and 1960s.

Luxembourg last hosted a travelling production of The Rocky Horror Show at Rockhal in Esch-Belval in 2015, a production organised by Den Atelier. That production included an established actor from each country in which it performed, as the Narrator, with Serge Tonnar assuming that role for those three performances.

https://www.chronicle.lu/event/2171-rocky-horror-show

Chronicle.lu attended Wednesday evening's performance which included all the primary characters - Brad and Janet, Riff-Raff and Magenta, Columbia and Eddie, Frank-N-Furter, Dr Everett Scott and Rocky Horror, as well as the Narrator. 

The clever stage setting first saw all-American Brad and Janet in their car on their way back from a friend's wedding, with Brad about to propose. They get lost, their car breaks down in a storm and while looking for somewhere with a telephone they can use to call for help, they find themselves at a castle with some very strange occupants...

The live musicians were on a galley above the stage, with the set having either a left and right, or central component; the classical "Time Warp", "Sweet Transvestite", "Dammit Janet", "Science Fiction/Double Feature", "Touch-A, Touch-A, Touch Me" and "I Can Make You a Man" delighting the audiences.

At times the audience call-backs turned into heckles, with which the production's narrator was well able to deal, to the delight of the entire theatre. 

With the end of the two-hour production (including a 20-minute interlude) and a reprise of the "Time Warp", it seemed to be over far too quickly.

Thanks to the Grand Theatre for putting on another west-end production over the festive season, following on from others including Mamma-Mia, Cabaret and Le Petit Prince.