After 40 years of worldwide performances in more than 30 countries and 20 languages, The Rocky Horror Show’s tale of two squeaky-clean college kids’ chance meeting with mad scientist Frank ’N’ Furter comes to Richmond as part of a year-long tour.
Dr Christopher Luscombe has created a new production of the show and the musical extravaganza, featuring classics such as Science Fiction/Double Feature, Dammit Janet and timeless floor-filler The Time-Warp.
The party-atmosphere play combines science-fiction, horror, comedy and music and encourages audience participation.
Joining the cast – which includes Oliver Thornton, who stars as Frank ‘N’ Furter, and former Emmerdale and Waterloo Road actress Roxanne Pallett as Janet – is Philip Franks, from the Darling Buds of May and Heartbeat, who plays the narrator, a character who bears the brunt of hecklers.
Clare Buchanan spoke to him ahead of the upcoming performances at Richmond Theatre.
Clare Buchanan: What can audiences expect from The Rocky Horror Show?
Philip Franks: You can expect a fantastic night out really. It’s a panto for grown-ups with a lot of sex. I think it’s also kind of innocent. For all its cross dressing, transvestite aliens and all that it has a kind of innocence about it and a fantastic rock’n’roll score. There’s a lot in common with a panto.
CB: As the narrator, do you bear the brunt of most of the hecklers? And how do you find it?
PF: Not most, all of it. I used to find it absolutely terrifying. You can rehearse what actually happens. What you can’t rehearse for is 1,000 people in fancy dress screaming abuse at you. Now I find it exhilarating and fun.
What you realise very quickly is the audience are not there to hurt you. They are there because they love it. My job is having a relationship with the audience. It’s not me, it’s a character. Its acting really, not stand-up. I respond as the character, I wouldn’t normally respond that way as myself.
CB: You mention audience members in fancy dress, is there a best or worst outfit that stands out for you?
PF: Sometimes you look out and there is an absolutely perfect Janet from the show and you look more closely and realise it’s an Asian man.
I love looking out there. But no one ever dresses up as my character. Maybe they will in Richmond.
The Rocky Horror Show; Richmond Theatre, the Green, Richmond; May 6 to Saturday, May 11; £10 to £29.50, premium seats £35; call 08448 717651, or visit http://atgtickets.com/ richmond
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here