THE last time I saw The Rocky Horror Show in 2010 (which was also the first time I had seen it live) was a bit of a lacklustre disappointment if I’m honest.

Given the show’s reputation for audience participation is was disappointing to see so few people in costume and a few half-hearted heckles. It is the atmosphere in the auditorium that really makes this show sparkle and it fell a bit flat.

So it was with slight trepidation that we made the trip back to the New Theatre to see the 40th anniversary tour...and it was clear before we even walked through the door that this time was going to be different.

Dozen of theatre-goers in full-on suspenders and corsets, high heels galore and garters all over the place (and that was just the men).

And the show itself lived up to the hype and was exactly what I had imagined I would be watching three years ago.

Ben Forster (who became a household name when he won ITV’s Superstar search) took on the role of Brad Majors. It is a bit change from the serious and almost brooding role of Jesus which he played so well in the arena tour - but one which he throws himself into whole-heartedly with brilliant results.

His comic timing was spot on and some of his frozen in time facial expressions had us in creases.

Rachel Grundy’s portrayal of Janet is cute with just the right amount of sass and raunch when needed (she has a stunning voice too) and director Christopher Lusombe oozes charm as the narrator. His interaction with the audience was pitched perfectly.

However, whenever he was on stage the spotlight was well and truly stolen by Oliver Thornton as Frank-N-Furter. He struts around the stage in fishnets and high heels like he was born in them.

I don’t have enough space in this column, but everyone on the cast - and the backstage team - deserves a standing ovation for this production. It ticks all the right boxes and will delight fans both new and old.