Billed as the biggest party, and nowadays so ingrained in British culture that it’s the stuff of legend, The Rocky Horror Show lives up to its reputation as a rollicking roof-raiser. All these years on – and it’s more than half a century since its premiere - plenty of excited audience members dress up for the occasion (think fishnets, suspenders and high heels). But even those who don’t don Frank-n-Furter-inspired garb when attending a performance cannot fail to be swept along on the wave of subversiveness and shock that is this iconic rock’n’roll musical.

A somewhat sketchy plot is merely a vehicle for the frolics and fun that lie at the heart of the show. Brad and Janet (James Bisp and Haley Flaherty) are two clean-cut college kids whose car breaks down one dark night in the middle of nowhere. Seeking help, they approach a sinister and eerie manor house - the home of Dr Frank-n-Furter (Stephen Webb) and his more-than-eccentric entourage. Frank-n-Furter’s minion, Riff Raff (Ryan Carter-Wilson), invites Brad and Janet in, to join in the high jinks. And so begins an experience the pair will never forget...

The attraction of The Rocky Horror Show lies in its absurdity. It is camp, over-the-top, slightly unnerving and thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end. Led by a gloriously imperious Frank-n-Furter, ruling his roost with a benign sense of mischief and just a hint of menace, the exuberant cast throw themselves into their roles with gusto, and their enthusiasm is infectious. Bisp and Flaherty are perfectly cast as Brad and Janet, transforming from squeaky clean all-American pictures of self-restraint into thrill-seeking extroverts before your very eyes.

This is a show that’s well-known for its audience participation, something which only adds to the merriment. Devoted fans know all the lines and join in with well-practised, and often very humorous, ripostes. As the Narrator, Jackie Clune’s sharp and quick-witted banter with the audience brings a hint of pantomime to proceedings and is the source of many laughs.

The songs are classics – who doesn’t know how to do the Time Warp? It’s just a jump to the left, after all. Dammit Janet and Sweet Transvestite have lost none of their appeal, and the chirpy tunes with their off-the-wall lyrics are the backbone of this somewhat preposterous show. The dances sparkle, the costumes are outrageous; in all, this is a spectacle that refuses to take itself in the least bit seriously - and it is all the better for that.

As evenings out in Birmingham go, it can’t get much more joyful than this. Suspend(er) your disbelief, leave any inhibitions at home and join in the fun!

Five stars

The Rocky Horror Show was reviewed by Rachel Smith on Monday 6 July at The Alexandra, Birmingham, where it runs until Saturday 11 July