A SPARKLING sea of sequins, suspenders, feathers, fabulous filthiness, top rate singing, dazzling dancing and provocative performances is the enchantment of the Rocky Horror Show.

The cult production opened on Monday night at the Cliffs Pavilion, to a glittering (literally) audience largely made up of die-hard Rocky Horror fans, gussied up in undergarments, wigs, and boa’s aplenty, armed with props and heckles to throw out to the stage with such good timing, to the uninitiated it may have seemed as if they were part of the act.

The show tells the story of squeaky-clean sweethearts Brad and Janet who accidentally fall onto an adventure they’ll never forget, straight into the clutches of the scandalous Frank-N-Furter. On their journey they meet muscle ripped Rocky, vivacious Magenta, the seedy butler Riff Raff, unfortunate Eddie and servant Columbia.

Narrated by Norman Pace (one half of the comedy duo Hale and Pace) who certainly held his own among the non-stop audience taunts and teases, Richard O’Brien’s classic original script is entwined with the timeless cult hits, including Sweet Transvestite, Damn it Janet, and of course, the pelvic-thrusting Time Warp.

Liam Tamne put on an outstanding version of Frank-N-Further. Aside from his superb vocal range, he effortlessly seduced the crowd (as well as the other characters) by oozing sexiness and sleaziness from beginning to end, from the tip of his dark curls to the bottom of his high heeled sandals.

Diana Vickers proved why she has done so well since her stint on the X Factor in 2008 in both the studio and theatreland. She gave a faultless performance of sweetie Janet Weiss, delivering the songs technically perfectly with both welly and honey, and acting the part with the right amount of a twinkle in her eye, which stopped her character being too syrupy and allowing for ‘another’ side to emerge once her clothes came off.

Meanwhile former S Club 7’s Paul Cattermole gave a rumbustious rocking performance of Eddie as well as a comical additional part as Dr Scott.

All the cast were on fire, with a particular nod to Kristian Lavercombe who played the part Riff Raff so suitably, it'd be hard to imagine him in any other role.

Not for: the easily offended.

For: those who want to dance in the aisles and let their hair (or wigs) down at a naughty, cult show.

The Rocky Horror Show goes on at the Cliffs Pavilion at Station Road, Southend, every day until Saturday August 20, and includes afternoon and evening performances.

Visit southendtheatres.org.uk for booking and further information.

Tickets range from £23.50 to £44.50.