Entertainment

‘Any excuse for fishnets!’: Rocky Horror Show shimmying to New Wimbledon Theatre

Dust off your fishnets, dig out your hot pants and set your spaceship’s co-ordinates to New Wimbledon Theatre where a week-long run of the Rocky Horror Show will kick off on February 11.

Richard O’Brien’s infamous rock and roll show has thrilled audiences for 46 years of glitter-encrusted musical mayhem.

Now back by popular demand, the naughtiest show in town will be transporting Wimbledon audiences to Frank’s castle as part of its 12-month nationwide tour.

Directed by Christopher Luscombe, the all-star cast includes Strictly Come Dancing’s Joanne Clifton as Janet Weiss, clinging to the sleeve of her bespectacled beau Brad Majors played by a1 singer Ben Adams.

Ben Adams (Brad) and Joanne Clifton (Janet) ©The Rocky Horror Show by David Freeman

The Strictly star said: “I’ve always loved Rocky Horror.

“I learnt the Time Warp in my dance classes in Grimsby when I was 4 years old … 30 years later and I’ll be jumping to the left on the actual Rocky Horror stage, I can’t quite believe it!”

The celebrated tale sees our hapless pair stranded on a stormy night after their car breaks down.

Brad and Janet think they’ve found salvation when they stumble upon Frank’s castle and are welcomed in by mysterious servants, Riff Raff (Kristian Lavercombe) and Magenta (Laura Harrison).

Our squeaky-clean heroes quickly realise all is not as it seems over at Frankenstein’s place, as they are exposed to a night of risqué exploits and gothic frivolity.

Kristian Lavercombe (Riff Raff) and Laura Harrison (Magenta) ©The Rocky Horror Show by David Freeman

Rocky fans will be jigging in their seats as they’re treated to all the show’s seminal numbers, including ‘Dammit Janet’, ‘Science Fiction/Double Feature’ and of course the irrepressible ‘Time Warp’ which is sure to have patrons dancing in the aisles.

The sweetest transvestite around, Frank, will be played by West End star Stephen Webb.

The actor describes playing the part made famous by Tim Curry as ‘a dream role’ and is eager into step into the towering platform heels of Frank.

Callum Evans (Rocky) and Stephen Webb (Frank) © The Rocky Horror Show by David Freeman

Webb said: “What an incredible opportunity to bring such a bold, energetic show across the UK.

“Frank is a dream role! I’m so pleased to be a part of the Rocky team, and can’t wait to give it everything I’ve got.”

An additional twist to the show famous for audience participation is the inclusion of five celebrity guests taking on the role of The Narrator throughout the tour.

Wimbledon audiences will get to enjoy Trigger Happy TV star Dom Joly donning a cravat as The Narrator.

He said: “I’m soooo excited to play the part of the narrator in The Rocky Horror Show.

“I’ve been entranced by the show since I stumbled upon it, one late night, in a cinema in Notting Hill Gate in 1990.

“More importantly, I haven’t had the opportunity to wear fishnets since I was a Goth back in the late 80s…any excuse…”

Dom Joly (The Narrator) © The Rocky Horror Show by David Freeman

All the show’s iconic characters will be Time Warping their way across the Wimbledon stage, with Miracle Chance twirling her gold top hat as Columbia and the show’s namesake Rocky Horror being played by a scantily clad Callum Evans.

While certainly not a family production, the Rocky Horror Show promises to be a corset-ripping riot of a night out.

Wimbledon theatre goers are encouraged to get their highest stilettos on and prepare to be taken on a strange journey.

To find out more about this production or to book tickets visit: http://www.rockyhorror.co.uk/

Featured image © The Rocky Horror Show by David Freeman

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