A new 40th anniversary production of legendary—notorious even—musical The Rocky Horror Show is being produced by Howard Panter for The Ambassador Theatre Group.
First seen at London's Royal Court Theatre in June 1973, The Rocky Horror Show has achieved cult status. It has been translated into more than 10 languages and has been performed in over 20 countries, shattering cultural barriers and crossing generations of closet (and non-closet) cross-dressers, it has become a party of a show that encourages audience participation and dressing up.
With the aid of the 1975 film, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which continues to be on limited release, many of the songs, "Science Fiction–Double Feature" and "The Time-Warp" amongst them, have become classics. The stage show and the film have their own fan sites, and there also exists a world record for the highest number of people simultaneously doing the Time Warp in costume.
The year-long UK tour, which starts at Brighton’s Theatre Royal in December, stars Priscilla Queen Of The Desert-award winning Oliver Thornton as Frank ‘n’ Furter. Alongside Thornton is Rhydian taking the role of Rocky. Originally from X Factor, Rhydian's Wikipedia page says "Since 2011 he has concertised mostly in Wales"— concertised? go figure?
Janet will be played by Emmerdale / Waterloo Road’s Roxanne Pallett and Brad will be played by ITV1's Superstar winner, Ben Forster.
In case there is someone on the planet who doesn't remember what comes after those giant iconic red lips on the cinema screen or doesn't know (and can't guess) the chorus of "Touch–a Touch–a Touch me", then be warned: not suitable for children or the prudish—it has rude bits!
Anyone who has an itch to scratch and needs assistance should head down to:
- Brighton Theatre Royal 20 Dec - 5 Jan
- Torquay Princess Theatre 7 - 12 January
- Bristol Hippodrome 14 - 19 January
- New Wimbledon Theatre 21 - 26 January
- Birmingham Alexandra 28 January - 2 February
- Aylesbury Waterside 4 - 9 February
- Liverpool Empire 11 - 16 February
- Sunderland Empire 18 - 23 February
- Glasgow Kings 25 February - 2 March
- Edinburgh Playhouse 11 - 16 March
- Grimsby Auditorium 18 - 23 March
- Manchester Opera House 25 - 30 March
- Cambridge Corn Exchange 29 - 4 April
- York Grand Opera House 8 - 13 April
- Sheffield Lyceum Theatre 15 – 20 April
- Southend Cliffs Pavilion 22 - 27-April
- Richmond Theatre 6 - 11 May
- Stoke-on-Trent Regent Theatre 20 - 25 May
- Bromley Churchill 27 May - 1 June
- Leeds Grand Theatre 10-15-June
- Woking New Victoria 24 - 29 June
- Milton Keynes Theatre 15 - 20 July