The most dramatic and energetic musical, The Rocky Horror Show, returned to Manchester this January.
Those lucky enough to go to Richard O’Brien’s cult classic at the Manchester Opera House have started their new year on a high.
To celebrate its 41st anniversary, the rock n’ roll musical has embarked on a year-long tour, with director Christopher Luscombe creating a brand new production for fans to feast their eyes on.
MM spoke to Charlie Condou, the Narrator for Manchester’s dates, who is best known for playing Marcus Dent in Coronation Street.
He said: “It’s such a great show to be a part of – it’s a lot of fun!
“There is loads of audience engagement and my role means I talk to them and have some banter.
“It’s such a different show to anything else, everyone gets involved and there is a huge love from the audience.
“Stage is completely different to TV, on TV you can start again and it’s filmed in a small room full of people, there is less pressure.
“But doing it in front of 1500 people is quite terrifying!”
The cult favourite has been watched by millions since its release and now brings in fans wearing maid costumes like Magenta, dressed in suits like the Time Warp dancers, or full transvestite attire like Tim Curry’s Frank n Furter.
The Rocky Horror Show was first performed on 19 June 1973 at the Royal Court Theatre and continues to break box office records around the world, currently selling out in Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Japan and Austria.
Charlie said: “It’s insane, everyone gets dressed up and is dancing and shouting along at the stage.
“I’m a huge fan of Rocky Horror, the first time I saw it I was 14 and I have seen the film hundreds of times, so being a part of the stage show is a box ticked.
“I jumped at the chance to be a part of the show, I’m just in the Manchester one for now but who knows what will happen in the future.”
The glamorous production currently stars X-Factor finalist Diana Vickers as Janet, Emmerdale actor Ben Freeman as Brad, and S Club 7 member Paul Cattermole as Eddie and Dr. Scott.
Meanwhile Kristian Lavercombe will return as Riff Raff after his successful 900 performances of the 40th Anniversary Global Tour of the Rocky Horror Show.
Image courtesy of 20th Century Fox, via Youtube, with thanks
