Many musical theatre shows offer the audience the chance to escape for a couple of hours but few do it quite as well as the Rocky Horror Show.

With its heady mix of comedy, horror, sci-fi, music, masses of audience participation and a healthy dose of cross-dressing, Richard O’Brien’s musical has been a solid gold hit since its first production in 1973.

Now it is heading to town again with shows at New Wimbledon Theatre later this month and Richmond Theatre in May.

X Factor finalist turned West End actress Diana Vickers plays Janet, the role taken by Susan Sarandon in the 1975 film adaptation.

Diana told us: “It is a show like nothing else.

“People come and they dress up and they go crazy and they yell things and they dance and they have a laugh. They can just really let themselves go.

“It is just that one show or that place where maybe if you are not that happy or you are an introvert, you can come to the show and let go and have fun or let out a different side of yourself – a more promiscuous or sexual or naughty, cheeky side.”

Having fought hard to land the part, the 24-year-old actress – who was a hit in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice and political farce The Duck House in the West End – said she then found the nerves kicked in during the rehearsal period.

Diana said: “I’m not going to lie, I found it quite daunting in rehearsals at first.

“I had done musicals when I was younger but not professional musicals with singing, dancing, acting and loads of musical theatre people and a West End director. It was really daunting at first and I had to work so, so hard. Now it is just in my bones.

She added: “I was quite daunted by the audience because I had heard quite a lot about them and they had an input and they shout out and there’s like a script for them.

“The director had to come over to me in rehearsals and say to me ‘Diana, you look absolutely terrified. I promise you, they’re not going to eat you alive’.

“They’re actually a really nice audience. Nothing can prepare you for the first time you go out. That energy that comes at you. I’ve got used to it now.

“You kind of have a patter with the audience. I’ve got it sussed and I’m enjoying it now.”

Starring alongside Diana are a strong cast including X Factor finalist Diana Vickers, Radio 4’s Steve Punt, Emmerdale actor turned West End leading man Ben Freeman and S Club 7’s Paul Cattermole.

Diana said: “They are absolutely fantastic. Liam Tamne who plays Frank’n’Furter is just such a talent.

“He comes on stage and the audience is anticipating him and he doesn’t disappoint. His voice is incredible and his charisma on stage is great.”

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Diana shot to fame as a bare-footed teenager on The X Factor in 2008 and went on to have a number one single and album.

But she soon turned to her first love, acting, and starred in the West End while writing her second album.

She said: “I always wanted to act. That was my main goal. I loved singing and being a pop star was the icing on the cake.

“It was great fun but I always eventually wanted to get into TV and film and musical theatre. I am just so lucky that it has been able to work out that way.

“I think now I want to act. I’m not going to say goodbye to music but my main goal is to act.”

The Rocky Horror Show is at New Wimbledon Theatre from February 29 to March 5 and Richmond Theatre from May 2 to 7. Go to atgtickets.com

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