Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show is coming to the Orchard Theatre in Dartford
Give yourself over to absolute pleasure as Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show rolls into town.
The riotous musical is set to thrill audiences in Dartford at the Orchard Theatre from Monday, January 9 to Saturday, January 14.
You can book your tickets, starting from £28, online here.
The rock ‘n’ roll musical and its cast of kooky characters has been touring theatres across the country - and writer and creator Richard O’Brien can see why the show still remains popular with audiences almost 50 years since its debut.
“It’s very inclusive, it’s very easy to watch,” says Richard. “Brad and Janet are a stereotypical couple - we can all relate to them. The fact that it is such light-hearted naughtiness, combined with root fairy tales, has a lot to do with its longevity.”
Richard first introduced the show, which he created with director Jim Sharman, to audiences at the Royal Court’s Theatre Upstairs in 1973.
Since then, it has been seen by more than 30 million audience members across the world and has been turned into a feature film starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick and Meat Loaf.
It's songs, such as the Time Warp, Sweet Transvestite and Hot Patootie, Bless My Soul have also become staples of the musical theatre songbook.
“I’m just so grateful that I’ve been part of something that has so uniquely left its mark,” says the former Crystal Maze host. “I remember a director once told me, ‘There’s only one thing you should do in your life, and that’s realise your dreams.’ It was the first time a grown-up had ever said anything so joyous to me. As it says in the show, ‘Don’t dream it, be it.’”
The Rocky Horror Show has gained notoriety over the years for its cult following, which has led to audience participation and dressing up as characters to be commonplace at the theatre.
“The live show has an energy that the movie doesn’t have - it wasn’t intentional, but the film was very slow. The movie is a very surreal, almost dreamlike, journey; the live show is far more rock and roll.”
Richard, who played the role of Riff Raff in the 1975 film, plans to continue enjoying the legacy of his show for years to come.
“I hope what I’ve done professionally on stage has entertained and made people feel a little bit better when they leave the theatre,” says Richard. “I am the luckiest person on the planet. I shall be happy as long as I can keep singing.”
The Rocky Horror Show will be at the Orchard Theatre from Monday, January 9 to Saturday, January 14. Tickets are available online, or by calling 03433 100033.