Cult musical favourite and queer extravaganza Rocky Horror Show is celebrating 50 years since it was debuted at the Royal Court’s tiny Theatre Upstairs in London in 1973, by touring cities across the UK, including Manchester. The rock ‘n’ roll musical will be gracing the stage of Manchester Opera House from February 20-25, promising to thrill audiences with fun and naughty moments straight out of Transylvania.
Everyone knows the classics, from Sweet Transvestite to Time Warp, and even the most hard-faced of attendees won’t be able to keep a smile off their faces from the get-go, with the show having thrilled and fulfilled fully costumed audiences totalling more than 30 million over the years.
For those out of the loop, Rocky Horror Show recounts the story of two squeaky clean college kids – Brad and his fiancée Janet. When by a twist of fate, their car breaks down outside a creepy mansion whilst on their way to visit their former college professor, they meet the charismatic Dr Frank’n’Furter. It is an adventure they’ll never forget, filled with fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity.
Producer Howard Panter said: “Rocky Horror has always been a show I loved, since its earliest days in the Kings Road. Richard O’Brien and I are delighted this non-stop party continues to thrill audiences across the world, and we look forward to the next 50 years!”
Director of the 1975 Rocky Horror Picture Show film, Richard O’Brien, said: “Back in the 1970s when someone asked me to entertain the Christmas staff party at the EMI Film Studios, and I turned up with a song called Science Fiction Double Feature, who would have known this was the germ of the idea to turn into today what is The Rocky Horror Show. To be celebrating fifty years is beyond my wildest expectations – from the humble beginnings back in 1973 at the Royal Court Theatre in London.
“The fact that The Rocky Horror Show continues to delight audiences as it tours the UK fifty years on is simply thrilling. The Rocky Horror Show is one of Britain’s most performed and beloved musicals of all time.”
The UK tour of Rocky Horror will include performances from West End star Stephen Webb (Jersey Boys/Legally Blonde), who will be continuing in the iconic role of Frank, and actor Philip Franks (The Darling Buds of May) playing The Narrator. Richard Meek (Hairspray/Spamalot) makes a welcome return as Brad and is joined by fan favourite Haley Flaherty (Mamma Mia/Chicago) as Janet.
This truly immersive experience of unhinged fun and pure joy is not to be missed, and who knows when Rocky Horror will return to Manchester?
Tickets to The Rocky Horror Show are available now from the Manchester Opera House website.