Never one for audience participation, the thought of the raucous rock 'n' roll riot that is the Rocky Horror Show had never tickled my turnips.

But curiosity got the better of me as the show rolled into town, particularly with John Stalker on board as the narrator.

Probably the best-known ex-policeman in Britain, casting this Establishment figure against the hedonistic extremes of Rocky Horror is positively inspired.

Going along also means I can finally work out what all this fuss is about - and fuss there certainly is.

Buzzing with excitement, the theatre is packed to the rafters with gangs of youths decked out in wigs, basques, fishnets and high heels and squealing in anticipation - and that was just the boys.

A spoof on tacky horror films of the Fifties and Sixties, there is not really much of a story.

Brad and Janet, a conventional young couple knock on the door of castle one night after their car breaks down, only to find a den of iniquity lorded over by the self-serving and pleasure-seeking Frank N Furter.

He seduces both Brad and Janet, causing ructions and more sexual adventures while, at the same time, spawning his own Frankenstein-type monster, the eponymous Rocky.

What happens from here on in is unclear - except Frank N Furter is killed by his lackeys when they tire of his hard-hearted ways and the young lovers, Brad and Janet, are reunited.

Still, this doesn't try to be anything more than a piece of frothy spectacle and that it does brilliantly.

Fantastic songs, camp antics and sexual anarchy are the root of its appeal, along with the strong performances and the chance to join in.

As Frank N Furter, Jonathan Wilkes is gorgeously handsome in ladies' underwear and a pair of towering platforms and proves he is much, much more than only Robbie Williams' best mate.

Fielding insults from the audience with a quick wit and natural showmanship, Wilkes is perfect for the part - he can also sing.

Sally Hunt also stands out as the lovelorn Columbia but getting the audience to laugh the loudest is the great Stalker.

Intelligent, original and astonishingly funny, the tradition is to boo his character when he comes on stage but he is just so good, there are those who can't help but clap and cheer.

For tickets and further information, call 01273 328488.