Rocky delight

ROCKY BEGINNING: Jessica Otton gives Mike Edward (Rocky) a hug after the opening performance of The Rocky Horror Show on Saturday. (MARK TAYLOR/Waikato Times)  

Source: http://stuff.co.nz/stuff/waikatotimes/0,2106,3439194a6004,00.html

10 October 2005 
By JUSTINE TURNER

The weight was lifted off dozens of shoulders as the culmination of months of hard work came together at opening night of The Rocky Horror Show in Hamilton on Saturday.

The cast and crew received a standing ovation and the show's creator Richard O'Brien was moved enough to donate the award he won for the show's first London performance in 1973 – the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Musical – to the city of Hamilton.

Director David Sidwell said receiving the award was special.

Sidwell said his nerves about how O'Brien would handle the interpretation "of his baby" had now subsided and he could get on with the show.

"Richard is always very hesitant on what he says," said Sidwell.

"But he was impressed and that means a lot. I thought it rocked. And it is not often you get a standing ovation at a rock show – very unusual for a piece of theatre."

Producer Paul Mitchell said he was excited by the audience reaction.

"It shows us again why we are in this business. We can't have asked for a better opening night."

Guests and sponsors joined the cast and crew at the after-show function, where O'Brien presented his award.

Hamilton Mayor Michael Redman said the award would be displayed in the foyer of the Founders Theatre for the rest of the show's season before a decision on where it would be permanently housed.

"I think everyone was throughly impressed and now they'll be talking to their friends saying the show is worth the trip."

The Rocky Horror Show continues its three-week season tomorrow at 8.