The Rocky Horror Show

Australian superstar Jason Donovan* returns to the UK in Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical, The Rocky Horror Show, as part of a new world tour. The legendary performer reprises his iconic role as the captivating Frank-n-Furter across the UK, following a sold-out Australian Tour in 2024.
Having been seen by over 35 million theatregoers, The Rocky Horror Show is the story of two squeaky clean college kids – Brad and his fiancée Janet. When by a twist of fate, their car breaks down outside a creepy mansion whilst on their way to visit their former college professor, they meet the charismatic Dr Frank’n’Furter. It is an adventure they’ll never forget, filled with fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity.
Directed by Christopher Luscombe, The Rocky Horror Show features timeless classics, including Sweet Transvestite, Dammit Janet, and of course, the pelvic thrusting showstopping Time Warp.
Age guidance: 12+ Please note, this show contains scenes of an adult nature
Duration - 2 hours including interval
*Jason Donovan will not be performing at the Woking, Milton Keynes, Birmingham, Brighton, Oxford, Richmond and Stoke tour dates. Alternative Frank-n-Furter casting to be announced.
The Rocky Horror Show Tickets
Our review on The Rocky Horror Show
Rocky Horror Show - Palace Theatre, Manchester - Monday 19th May 2025 by Karen Ryder
Our Rating
Every time Rocky Horror announces its return to Manchester, I get a thrill of anticccc…..ipation, for I know I am in for a hot patootie of a night in a show that breaks all the rules and rocks the rafters wherever it goes. I have been watching Rocky Horror in theatres since I was around 14, and I have lost track of how many times tonight will mark, but I keep returning because, more than ever with Rocky Horror, no two shows are ever the same simply because the audience is never the same. And as the audience forge such a huge part of this unparalleled phenomenon, you never know what can, or will, happen. What you can always be sure of though is a night like no other, fuelled by adrenaline hyped up fans, insanely addictive music, and more flesh than you have ever seen in an audience before! Always expect the unexpected with Rocky, never think you have seen it all before, and blow caution to the wind as you fully immerse yourself into the pulsating, passionate, and provocative audience, allowing yourself to become a part of the show and absorb the high that it brings.
So, as I’ve said before, for those innocents out there yet to have their Rocky Horror cherry burst, here’s the story so far. Brad and Janet, the seemingly quintessential all American couple, have had a little car trouble. They seek refuge from the lashing rain in the nearest house as they simply try to use the phone to call for assistance. Instead, they meet a whole host of eclectic residents who awaken their twee outlook on life in every way possible. As Brad and Janet experience the more pleasurable aspects of life, the master of the house Frank-N-Furter is building a little plaything by the name of Rocky. But Rocky wants to play with Janet and Frank-N-Furter doesn’t like to share any toys. Bang on cue, an earlier experimental plaything by the name of Eddie returns for revenge, but instead finds himself for the chop, because nobody gets the better of Frank-N-Furter. Frank gets more and more demanding, petulant and insatiable, until trusted phantoms Riff Raff and Magenta grow weary of the games. The phantomesque brother and sister take over and through a sea of leopard print hot pants, pink rubber gloves, science labs, lab coats, suspenders, tap shoes, sequins, glitter and sex, transport the entire house back to their home planet of Transexual Transylvania. Got it? Good!
The story really is as bonkers as it sounds! It makes no sense, yet perfect sense in equal measures, and is expertly hot gun glued together with equal measures of love, leather, lace and suspenders, to wow us with showbiz pizzazz, whilst dazzling us with the beauty of self-worth, love and acceptance. Perhaps this is why its audiences go wild, because it is a place where there is no judgement, a place where you can learn who you are underneath the societal expectations, and a place where love never has and never will have any boundaries. The characters are all so unique and identifiable, that you will no doubt see countless versions of them in the audience as people put their own spin on their favourite Rocky idol. Tonight I saw beautifully confident fans unleash their inner Frank-N-Furter in various corsets and suspenders and not much else, sequin bedazzled waistcoats, hotpants and top hats as Columbia, French maid outfits for Magenta, science labs coats for Brad and Janet, and just about everything inbetween! But as a Rocky audience is a place with zero judgement, there is also no pressure to dress up at all, and you are free to just come as your fabulous self and still have a blast.
I will never grow tired of the music from Rocky Horror Show. Ever. Richard O’ Brien is a living legend to have written the music, lyrics, and book for this show. I mean, seriously? His talent is unquestionably mesmerising. His ability to have creatively tapped into the unconscious bonds that universally speak to each and everyone of us is dynamite! We have all felt like breaking free, we have all felt different, we have all feared being judged or not accepted if we were truly to be ourselves, and we have all felt a desire to love and be loved in return. Those things that we worry will isolate us are actually the things that bring us together and Rocky Horror celebrates this without apology. Richard O’ Brien has understood humanity, and he has allowed us to face these private and personal truths in such a quirky manner, that we can witness and process without feeling threatened or vulnerable. And we can instead just feel joy. Unadulterated joy as you get wrapped up in the effervescent energy of the show and are actively encouraged to join in the dances and shout out audience responses! The theatre is positively alive, and there is such a feeling of togetherness as the audience of almost 2000 strong all Time Warp in unison as we all take a jump to the left…and then a step to the riiii..yyyyy…iiii…yyyy…..ight! Then there are the rock n roll moments that light up the theatre with songs such as Hot Patootie / Bless My Soul, or the musical-oke moments of Dammit Janet where the audience join in with the responses, the show stealing Sweet Transvestite, or the hypnotic Don’t Dream It. Tune after insatiable tune is met with thunderous applause and appreciation, continually building the energy in the Palace Theatre. If you’ve never seen Rocky Horror before, you will be mesmerized by this one-of-a-kind style of theatre, and for the rest of you Rocky loving pleasure seekers – welcome home.
Directed by Christopher Luscombe, this show is given the freedom to be everything it needs to be and embraces the audience as a fully-fledged additional cast member. There is a distinct comfort and ease with the cast who take everything the audience throws at them in their stride and revel in the challenge of this unpredictable force. Another unpredictable force is Jason Donovan as Frank-N-Furter. To those who know me, it is no secret I have been a Jason Donovan fan since he first stepped onto Ramsey Street, and I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek at his Frank-N-Furter (behave) during his recent Doin’ Fine 25 tour. Donovan commands the stage, demands attention, and struts with perfect pomposity and swagger. He clearly loves playing this role and has so much fun with the audience that you can’t help but smile. He gave us a superbly affected British aristocratic, charismatic, flailing Frank who swayed like he had been lubricated (again - behave!) with one drink too many. Not long after his entrance, the heel of his shoe snapped off, and Donovan worked this into the show so expertly that the entire audience were in stitches. The way he continued to teeter around on tip toes as if still in heels was hilarious and even with plenty of giggles, the show never missed a beat. Lauren Chia and Connor Carson bring us the supressed Brad and Janet and are brilliant both together and apart. Chia expertly transcends Janet from a sweet, naïve, perky perfection into an awakened, desiring, lusting lover. Her comedic skills through vocal delivery are superb as she learns how to manipulate her innocence into fulfilment. And what a voice! The transformation from Dammit Janet To Touch-a Touch-a Touch Me is jaw dropping! Carson is just brilliant as the bumbling Brad, endearing us to his awkwardness and making us root for him all the way. He brings a quirky charm to Brad that is the absolute antitheses to Frank-N-Furter, and there is something so loveable about the fact that even when he has his own sexual awakenings, he never looses any part of who he is. He beautifully bares his soul while singing Once In A While and it was stunning.
Job Greuter and Natasha Hoeberigs are the phantom siblings Riff Raff and Magenta and are clearly fan favourites as their support from the audience was insane! Eerily and wonderfully weird, they bring the house down with The Time Warp and throughout the show, the range of their voices, and their sublime characterisation was utterly flawless. Morgan Jackson as Rocky really delivered with character as this role is sometimes the least developed, leaving Rocky to just run around in hot pants feeling confused. But Jackson brought a real humanity to the man made experiment of Rocky and allowed us to feel empathy. He infused a new energy into the theatre as he effortlessly bounded around the stage in The Sword Of Damocles with front flips, back tucks and goodness knows what else! Jayme-Lee Zanoncelli wowed as the toe tapping Columbia and brought an unstoppable energy to the stage. Her dancing was phenomenal and so full of fizz and power that it left me breathless and her monologue towards the end flowed from heartfelt to beautifully zany! Ryan Carter-Wilson had the job of multi rolling between Dr. Scott and Eddie, and gave us two outstanding and totally different performances. As Eddie he exploded onto the stage in his rebel defying Hot Patootie, giving a rendition worthy to any Meatloaf fan, and as Dr. Scott he provided us with the disapproving voice of caution and objection. And of course not forgetting Jackie Clune as Narrator! I have ever, in all my Rocky years, seen a female play this role, and it was epic! Confident, controlled, full of sass and attitude, she took on every heckle, every plot twist, every unexpected and expected moment like she was the Queen of the stage! There were some brilliant come backs from Clune when the preset Rocky audience heckles didn’t take into account that tonight, the Narrator was female, so she offered up the female equivalent instead! I was belly laughing and it certainly brought a fabulous new twist to the show.
With a Frankenstein Place set designed by Hugh Durrant, it compliments everything about the show. It keeps pace, it flips, revolves and twists itself into positions that Frank-N-Furter would be proud of! This takes us to the various scenes, from outside the castle, to rooms within the home from living room, to science lab, and even space ship! In a nod to the picture show essence of the story, a film reel can be seen draped across the top of the set, which equally draws our eye to the exceptional band. As lasers beam directly into the audience, lights flash rainbow joy, disco energy can consequentially nestle alongside a stage flooded with red, portraying Eddies blood or merely a warning for danger, all the brain child of lighting designer Nick Richings.
Whether this is your first time or your hundred and first time to watch Rocky Horror, I’m guessing it won’t be your last. This show has a cult following for a reason, and you cannot help being swept along by it all, for it is truly a show like no other. Rocky superfan Sal Piro, who sadly passed away in 2023, was the voice of The Rocky Horror community and is credited with the development of the audience participation and cult status we now know and love today. I am sure he would have been thrilled to see it very much alive and well in this Manchester audience, ensuring his legacy lives on. So grab your friends and head down to the Palace Theatre Manchester, drink the Rocky kool aid and ‘give yourself over to absolute pleasure.’
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Our review on The Rocky Horror Show
The Rocky Horror Show - Opera House, Manchester - Tuesday 23rd January 2024 by Lizzie Johnston
Our Rating
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW IS AN INFECTIOUS, TIMELESS MASTERPIECE THAT KEEPS ON GIVING
Corsets, fishnets and red lipstick can only mean one thing - The Rocky Horror Show. The cult classic, created by Richard O’Brien, has transported from Transylvania back again to the Manchester Opera House. The plot follows the adventures of Brad and Janet, a newly engaged couple who stumble upon the bizarre castle of Dr. Frank N Furter, a mad scientist from another planet. What unfolds is a wild ride of seduction, science fiction, and rock 'n' roll.
The electrifying rollercoaster of glam, gender-bending, and pure unadulterated fun has captivated audiences for decades and there’s no wonder this show has left a huge mark in the world of theatre. From the very start when the house lights go down and the band begins to play,the audience are roaring with excitement and anticipation, despite many knowing exactly what to expect having been before.
There’s a certain aura around this show and it doesn’t matter what you wear, who you are or even what day it is, every audience member just wants to have fun. It’s rare in theatre to see a show like this, where a lively audience is not just expected but encouraged making it an experience as a whole.
The set can simply be described as fabulous, with glitter curtains, multicoloured lights and a mezzanine hidden behind a giant film strip; it’s extravagant yet not over the top. The costumes are exactly what you expect and what the audience love, each character dressed in their iconic looks that even a few audience members rivalled. The look of sequins, basques and high heels contrasted the innocent and fairly plain costumes of Janet and Brad, not forgetting the gorgeous makeup looks of dark eyes and red lips. It’s pretty clear for the audience to see that Janet and Brad are far out of their comfort zone and completely lost.
Janet, played by Haley Flaherty (The Mousetrap, Travels With My Aunt, Matilda), at first seems sweet and almost shy, but this doesn’t last long as she undergoes a full transformation of character as she embraces the world of Rocky Horror. She’s trusting and loving of her fiance Brad, played by Richard Meek (Hairspray, Annie, Thoroughly Modern Milly), who despite being unnerved by the whole situation, attempts to stay brave for her; but he too discovers a new side to himself.
There’s no Rocky Horror Show without the iconic Frank N Furter, played by Stephen Webb (Titanic, Rothschild & Sons, Wonderland), who brings a new level of energy to the show. Webb’s Frank N Furter is strong-minded, quick-witted, and captivates the audience with equal parts of charm and mischief. The sweet transvestite from Transylvania is the show's magnetic force who leads a quirky ensemble including Riff Raff, Magenta and Columbia.
The first moment where I realised this was not an ordinary night at the theatre is when Philip Franks (Witness for the Prosecution, Art, Noises Off) entered the stage as the Narrator. His improvisation and comical comebacks to audience shoutouts had the auditorium roaring with laughter and cheers. Every time he commanded the stage, his comedy was timely, relevant and entertaining. It geared the audience up perfectly for any opportunity to participate in the show, particularly for the unforgettable ‘Time Warp’, a tune and dance known by many that got us all jumping out of our chairs.
The show itself is a dazzling fusion of pop and rock with anthems including "Sweet Transvestite," and "Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me", which are songs that have transcended the stage and are now a firm part of pop culture. It’ll have you toe-tapping along and leave you singing the tunes for the next week, they’re just so catchy and fun.
The Rocky Horror Show is an infectious timeless masterpiece. It embraces the weird and wonderful in a gender-bending celebration of liberation and self-expression - no wonder it’s a well loved cult classic! Whether you’ve seen it several times, have only seen the movie version or have never seen it at all, the stage show is an experience you don’t want to miss.
WE SCORE THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW...
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Our review on The Rocky Horror Show
Rocky Horror Show - Manchester Opera House - Monday 20th February 2023 by Karen Ryder
Our Rating
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW KEEPS ON RETURNING AS IT KEEPS ON GIVING AND THE FANS LOVE IT!
Rocky Horror definitely has us caught in a Time Warp because this is the 3rd time it has visited Manchester in 18 months, and its hard-core fans show no sign of slowing down their eagerness to be a part of this cultastic phenomenon. The last time I saw Rocky Horror was August 2021, when The Opera House re-opened after COVID restrictions, and I have never experienced an atmosphere like it. It was the perfect re-opening, full of freedom, abandonment, and the desire to just live life. It’s possibly the best party atmosphere I’ve ever experienced in a theatre. I will never forget that evening, and so I couldn’t help but feel a little hesitant that, despite the epic proportions of Rocky Horror, my lasting adrenaline fuelled memory of the show could only make any future performances pale in comparison. But this is Rocky Horror, it doesn’t do second best – even to itself! And whilst that hot August night in 2021 will always hold a special place in my theatre loving heart, tonight was ready to blast the winter blues away and set this cold Manchester night on fire!
So for those innocents out there yet to have their Rocky Horror cherry burst, here’s the story so far. Brad and Janet, the seemingly quintessential all American couple, have had a little car trouble. They seek refuge from the lashing rain in the nearest house as they simply try to use the phone to call for assistance. Instead, they meet a whole host of eclectic residents who awaken their twee outlook on life, in every way possible. As Brad and Janet experience the more pleasurable aspects of life, the master of the house Frank-N-Furter is building a little plaything by the name of Rocky. But Rocky wants to play with Janet and Frank-N-Furter doesn’t like to share any toys. Bang on cue, an earlier experimental plaything by the name of Eddie returns for revenge, but instead finds himself for the chop, because nobody gets the better of Frank-N-Furter. Frank gets more and more demanding, petulant and insatiable, until trusted phantoms Riff Raff and Magenta grow weary of the games. The phantomesque brother and sister take over and through a sea of leopard print hot pants, pink rubber gloves, science labs, lab coats, suspenders, tap shoes, sequins, glitter and sex, transport the entire house back to their home planet of Transexual Transylvania. Got it? Good!
The plot may sound random, and that’s because it kind of is, but its messages are not. Be who you want to be, love who you want to love, ‘Give yourself over to absolute pleasure’ and do it all to a soundtrack that ignites every fibre of your being into an irresistible frenzy of indulgence, where you will feel the feels like you’ve never felt them before! If you’ve never seen Rocky Horror before, your eyes will be opened to a unique form of theatre, where the audience play just as much a part of the show as the hard-working cast, and for the rest of you Rocky loving pleasure seekers – welcome home.
This set design is slick, quick and satisfying (a bit like Frank-N-Furter!) Designed by Hugh Durrant, it involves revolving panels that with a simple flip turn the mansions main living room into a science lab and back again. A film reel wraps itself around the set above the casts heads, drawing your attention to the fantastically talented band, who keep the audience revved up all night. The lights (Nick Richings) are mesmerising, flashing rainbow disco lights, lasers that beam directly into the audience and penetrate into your Rocky loving heart. Director Christopher Luscombe takes Richard O’Brien’s script to new heights in this 50th celebratory tour, allowing the cast the freedom to breathe and work with the emitting heckles and “script additions” from the enthusiastic audience. The cast take it all in their stride and as each of them took to the stage for the first time, they received a round of applause for just being a part of this fan favourite production. Stephen Webb (Titanic, Wonderland, Jersey Boys) played Frank-N-Furter when I last saw the show in August 2021, and he has somehow upped his presence even further, which I didn’t think possible. He is so at ease and relaxed with this role that all you have to do is enjoy his performance (I think that’s what Brad and Janet did too!) He more than commands the stage, the audience and walks better in high heels than I do! His voice is sublime, and I think he will be a Rocky fan favourite for years to come. Haley Flaherty (The Mousetrap, Matilda, Love Never Dies) was also in the last production I saw as Janet and again just seems so at ease with the entire show. She is sweet, innocent, raunchy, naive, and belts out her numbers with a voice so powerful, yet equally gentle when needed. Amazing vocal skills. Her Brad is performed by Richard Meek (Hairspray, Annie, The Producers) who is the perfect blustering partner. He’s created Brad so that we don’t laugh at him, but instead we laugh with him, gaining his laughter from his gorgeous portrayal of this kind-hearted, innocent and nerdy young thing. Reece Boudin (Matilda, La Cage Aux Follies) takes on the audience as the Narrator and has everyone belly laughing at his cool and collected come backs, where he even pokes fun at himself and has us falling in love with his cheeky charm. Suzie McAdam (Local Hero, Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde) as Magenta also starts the whole show as the Usherette and belts out Science Fiction with a passion reciprocated by the audience. She is strong and full of sass. With well over 2000 performances, Kristian Lavercombe (Jersey Boys, Jesus Christ Superstar, Urinetown) who was tonight’s Riff Raff, has performed in Rocky Horror more than anyone else in its 50 year history and it shows because he is flawless and the second his head popped onto stage through a circular window, it was clear he was loved by this huge Rocky fan base. His voice is crystal clear and the range is out of this world! Ben Westhead as Rocky is an advert for body confidence, for he spends the entire show in nothing but a pair of underpants! He never looks uncomfortable and bursts to life with an energy and a refreshing purity that suited the role wonderfully. I have to say, this was one of my favourite Rocky interpretations ever. Darcy Finden as Columbia and Joe Allen as Eddie and Dr. Scott complete the main cast like the missing pieces in a jigsaw puzzle, because this cast is a unit and seem so relaxed and in tune with each other that a certain, intangible vibe permeates the theatre.
As the entire audience stood up to dance to The Time Warp, a dance that even if it were their first Rocky experience, everybody already knew the moves to, I got to thinking what a unique element of the show this was. Off the top of my head, I can’t think of any other show where the audience know the moves to a musical number before they have even entered the theatre and are then invited to join in! I just love it! The audience is as much a part of a Rocky Horror show as the cast themselves, and this is mainly down to one person – Sal Piro, who sadly passed away last month. Sal was a Rocky Horror legend and started its fan club in 1977, eventually growing its popularity so much to become the voice of the Rocky Horror community. He was in the original Rocky audience and is credited with the development of the audience participation and cult status we now know and love today. I’m sure Sal would have loved tonight’s performance and was leading the audience yells in declaring Janet a slut and Brad an a-hole!! Rocky is, and forever will be a hot patootie of a show! It is a show that has no boundaries, makes no apologies and makes audiences return time and time again, because Rocky Horror is a “light in the darkness, of everybody’s life.”
WE SCORE ROCKY HORROR SHOW...