It has been running for a record 52 years and now Hull gets chance to time warp back to 1973 with the return to the city of The Rocky Horror Show.
The cult classic, featuring all the outrageous characters and infectious energy that have made it a global phenomenon on stage and screen for more than five decades, will be running at Hull New Theatre from Monday to Saturday, July 14 to 19. The show tells the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two squeaky clean college kids who meet Dr Frank’n’Furter by chance when their car breaks down outside his house.
It is an adventure they will never forget, with fun, frolics, frocks and frivolity, bursting with timeless songs and outrageous outfits. “The Rocky Horror Show is a guaranteed party, which famously combines science-fiction, horror, comedy and music while encouraging audience participation – meaning, of course, getting dressed-up in the most outrageous fancy dress,” said promoters of the show.
“Featuring ridiculously infectious tunes such as Sweet Transvestite, Science Fiction/Double Feature, Dammit Janet and, of course, the timeless floor-filler, Time Warp, it’s no surprise that Richard O’Brien’s tongue-in-cheek musical comedy has become the longest continuous run of a contemporary musical anywhere in the world.” Adam Strong stars as Dr Frank’n’Furter, the role being a “dream goal”.
“It’s such an empowering role and I get to sing all of my favourite songs and be part of the musical’s history,” he said. “I’ve been a massive Rocky Horror Show fan for many, many years, and I’ve studied many different Franks, so for me it just felt like the right fit.”
(Image: hulltheatres.co.uk)
Adam, who has always loved musicals from being a child – “my first role was Jerome in the Sound of Music at the Sunderland Empire” – believes Rocky Horror still has the rebellious edge it had more than five decades ago.
“I think The Rocky Horror Show is timeless and always will be. I had a chat with our wonderful director Chris Luscombe in rehearsals, and we had a look at the script from the 70s and it’s almost identical.”
Tickets for The Rocky Horror Show can be booked at the Hull City Hall Box Office, call 01482 300 306 or by visiting hulltheatres.co.uk