LET’S do The Time-Warp again — The Rocky Horror Show is celebrating its 40th anniversary in outrageous and fabulous style.
An all-star cast is bringing the world’s favourite rock n’ roll musical, first staged in June 1973, to Manchester’s Opera House from Monday.
Roxanne Pallett, best known for playing Jo Sugden in ITV soap Emmerdale, takes on the role of squeaky clean college kid Janet.
Along with her fiancé Brad, played by EastEnders and Hollyoaks actor Sam Attwater, they stumble across the weird world of Dr Frank ’n’ Furter, resulting in an adventure they will never forget.
The 30-year-old, from Carlisle, said the majority of the audience gets dressed up, from the odd feather boa to a man dressed as the show’s Rocky, in just a pair of miniscule, gold hotpants.
She said: “That was quite outrageous because it was December and freezing.
“There’s women dressed as men, there’s men dressed as women.
“But it’s so liberating because when you really listen to the songs, it’s saying be who you want to be.
“You will feel daft if you come without an outfit. There’s nans and grandads that come dressed up.
“It’s a real party atmosphere.”
Written by Richard O’Brien, the show was transformed into a film in 1974 called The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which took more than $135 million at the box office.
Many stars, including Russell Crowe, Tim Curry, Jerry Springer and Meatloaf have appeared in The Rocky Horror Show over the past 40 years and director Christopher Luscombe has created a new production for a year-long UK tour to celebrate its anniversary.
Roxanne said: “I had seen the film , but I didn’t want to watch it again. I think when you are taking on a role that’s so iconic, it’s so easy and natural to copy and imitate. It’s like the role of Sandy in Grease.
“It’s an amazing show, it’s such an experience. Everybody knows The Time-Warp and it’s the 40th anniversary.
“Richard O’Brien, the writer, has had lots of amazing reviews and feedback so he is really happy with what we have done.
“It’s not a play and it’s not a musical, it’s an adventure.
“Every single night is like a Saturday.”
Before taking to the stage in this show, Roxanne appeared in two films, a comedy due out in the summer and British horror film Devil’s Tower.
Rocky Horror Show 40th Anniversary Production, which also stars Oliver Thornton as Dr Frank ‘n’ Furter and Rhydian as Rocky, is at the Opera House, Manchester, from Monday to Saturday March 30.
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