The Rocky Horror Show is set to return to Manchester with a new production to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its worldwide performances.

Since its first appearance at the Royal Court Theatre in June 1975, Richard O’Brien’s The Rock Horror Show has become the world’s favourite Rock N’ Roll musical being performed in more over 30 countries and translated into more than 20 languages.

It is now returning to Manchester by popular demand for a run at Manchester’s opera House from 5 to 16 January.

The Rock Horrow Show tells the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two squeaky clean college kids who meet Dr Frank’n’Furter by chance after their car breaks down outside his house.  The musical extravaganza features all of its famous musical classics including Science Fiction/Double Feature, Dammit Janet and of course, the timeless floor-filler, The Time-Warp as the tale fuses science-fiction, horror comedy and music (and the occasional naughty bit!)

X Factor finalist and star of the stage version of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Diana Vickers will star in the role of Janet Weiss alongside Emmerdale actor, Ben Freeman, who will play the role of Brad Majors. S Club 7 star, Paul Cattermole, will join Ben and Diana by playing Eddie and Dr. Scott. Following his huge success in over 900 performances of the 40th Anniversary Global Tour of The Rocky Horror Show, Kristian Lavercombe returns as Riff Raff.

image of The Rocky Horror Show cast

The Rocky Horror Show cast

Diana Vickers (Janet) first came to public attention in 2008 when she was a finalist on The X Factor, before signing a record deal with RCA Records and getting a number one single and album. After her second album, Diana starred in the West End production of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, for which she received excellent reviews from the press and the role won her the Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers’ Choice Awards ‘London Newcomer of the Year’. She then went on to star in the West End production of Duck House alongside Ben Miller and Simon Shepherd.

Charlie Condou will take the Role of Narrator for Manchester dates, Charlie is best known for playing Marcus Dent in Coronation Street for four years and his successful column The Three of Us in The Guardian. Charlie’s other television credits include Me, You, and The Apocalypse, The Impressionists and Midsomer Murders. On the silverscreen, Charlie has starred in Good, Fred Claus and Charlotte Grey, while some of his theatre roles include Next Fall (Southwark Playhouse), Dying for It (The Almeida), The Changeling (Southwark Playhouse) and Shopping and F***king (UK Tour).

As with pretty much any production of The Rocky Horror Show, audience participation is encouraged, so put on your most outrageous fancy dress and join in the fun and frolics.

The Rocky Horror show is performed at Manchester’s opera House from 5 January until 16 January 2016.


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