Richard O'Brien Does the Time Warp in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Beginning Tonight in Melbourne

Producers Howard Panter and John Frost gleefully announced that the author of The Rocky Horror Show, Richard O'Brien, would join the production at certain special performances during the Melbourne season, playing the role of the Narrator. O'Brien can be seen at performances tonight, June 30, and July 1, 2, 5 (5.30pm only), 7, 8 and 9.

O'Brien will take to the stage to timewarp as only he can, in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Melbourne audiences. O'Brien has only rarely appeared on stage in The Rocky Horror Show after writing the much loved rock and roll musical.

O'Brien attended the Opening Night of this 40th Anniversary tour in Brisbane in 2015, and said this production is "very, very special. I am deeply moved."

Beloved Australian stage and television legend Bert Newton will continue to perform the role of The Narrator at all other scheduled performances.

In the coveted role of Frank N Furter is television and theatre star Craig McLachlan, who won the 2014 Helpmann Award for Best Male Actor in a Musical for this performance. The cast also comprises Amy Lehpamer and Stephen Mahy as Janet and Brad, Kristian Lavercombe as Riff Raff, Jayde Westaby as Magenta, Angelique Cassimatis as Columbia, Nicholas Christo as Eddie and Dr Scott, and Brendan Irving as Rocky. Completing the cast are Nicholas Eaton, Meghan O'Shea, SuzAnne Steele, Darren Tyler and Drew Weston.

Australia's new 40th Anniversary production of The Rocky Horror Show, which received huge acclaim during sell out seasons last year in Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne, has just completed a wild Sydney season and began a final return season at the Comedy Theatre on 11 June.

"We are thrilled that Richard O'Brien is joining us for a few performances in Melbourne to play the Narrator. To have the creator of this iconic musical as part of the production for a short time is a dream come true, and I'm sure Rocky Horror fans will flock to Melbourne to see this unique opportunity," said producers Howard Panter and John Frost. "Make sure you buy a ticket before it's sold out, and before madness takes its toll."

The Rocky Horror Show is a true classic and one of theatre's most endearing and outrageously fun shows. It opened at London's Royal Court Theatre on June 19, 1973, quickly developing a cult following, and was adapted into the 1975 film, which has the longest-running release in film history. This iconic brand holds a unique place in theatre history, a show which has defied the decades and continued to grow in popularity. In 2010 the music of Rocky Horror was showcased in the smash hit TV show Glee, seen by over 20 million people worldwide. Rocky Horror even has its own postage stamp.

Millions of people all over the world have and continue to see productions of The Rocky Horror Show and sung along to classics like Sweet Transvestite, Dammit Janet, I Can Make You A Man, Touch-a Touch-a Touch Me, Over At The Frankenstein Place and of course The Time Warp.

For more about the show, visit www.rockyhorrormusical.com.au or follow on Facebook: /RockyHorrorShowAustralia and Twitter: @rockyhorrorau.

SEASON DETAILS:

Venue: Comedy Theatre, Melbourne

Season: To 12 July 2015

Performance Times: Tues 7pm, Wed-Sat 8pm, Sat matinee 2pm, Sunday 1pm & 5.30pm

Price: From $69.90*

Bookings: ticketmaster.com.au or phone 1300 111 011

Groups 8+ call 1300 889 278

*An additional transaction fee and/or a credit/debit payment processing fee may apply