Doing the time warp again

For half a century, The Rocky Horror Show has astounded audiences. Written by Richard O’Brien as a humorous tribute to both science fiction and the horror movies of the 1930s to 1960s, the musical premiered in London in 1973, before an audience of just 63 people.

It was an immediate success. The film adaptation took over $135 million at the box office and is still shown in cinemas around the world, making it the longest running theatrical release in cinema history.

Since then, the musical has been seen by 30 million people in dozens of countries around the world, first appearing in Australia in Sydney in 1974.

Marking its 50th anniversary, a brand-new Australian production kicks off in Sydney before travelling to Melbourne.

Described as “the boldest bash of them all” and promising to be a “guaranteed party” The Rocky Horror Show stars Jason Donovan as Frank N Furter, and Myf Warhurst as the Narrator.

The production tells the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two squeaky clean college kids who meet Dr Frank N Furter, an extra-terrestrial mad scientist from the galaxy of Transylvania, where people really like to party.

It features one of the most famous musical numbers of all time, The Time Warp, which remains key to its continued success.

Stellar Perry, who plays Magenta and the Usherette, says performing in Rocky is a dream come true.

“To be in the 50th anniversary cast as Magenta is wild and an absolute dream,” Perry told The AJN. “I’m in heaven every day that I get to spend with this incredibly talented and creative cast and crew.”

This sentiment is echoed by dance caption Jackson Reedman who also plays one of the Phantoms.

“‘Don’t dream it, be it’ … a line from the show, sums up how special Rocky is. Letting yourself be you and everything you dream of,” Reedman said.

“Being the 50th anniversary makes it very special to tell this story with a fresh new cast [to] audiences who adore and love this story so much.”

Donovan describes it as a “celebration of life, in all its colours and in all of its adversities”.

The Rocky Horror Show is at the Theatre Royal from February 14. For more, rockyhorror.com.au

The cast of The Rocky Horror Show. Photo: Pierre Toussaint