'The Rocky Horror Show' Will Do the Time Warp Again on the Gold Coast This Spring

Southeast Queensland musical fans, the iconic theatre shows just keep coming — and the next production heading the region's way wants you to take a jump to the left. After already starting its Australian comeback in 2023, which began with a Sydney premiere season, The Rocky Horror Show has locked in Gold Coast dates in spring.

For half a century now, this hit musical has been astounding. And, with the Richard O'Brien-created production lasting that long, perhaps time really is fleeting. Either way, whenever this sci-fi/horror musical hits the stage — and wherever — a glorious kind of madness takes its toll.

Come September, Queensland audiences will be able to listen closely — and watch Jerry Springer: The Opera, In the Heights and & Juliet Olivier Award-winner David Bedella as Frank N Furter put his hands on his hips, then bring his knees in tight, too — when the famed musical plays The Star on its huge 50th-anniversary tour.

The Rocky Horror Show's brand-new Aussie run kicked off at Theatre Royal Sydney in February, is currently playing Adelaide, and next opens in Melbourne on Thursday, May 18. It will head to Perth before the Gold Coast, then Canberra afterwards. There's no word yet on a Brisbane season, so if you're keen to do 'The Time Warp' along with the production without leaving the Sunshine State, hitting up the Gold Coast from Sunday, September 3 is your only chance so far.

On offer: the tale that theatre audiences have loved for five decades — and movie-goers as well, thanks to 1975's iconic big-screen release The Rocky Horror Picture Show. For the uninitiated, the story involves college-aged couple Brad Majors and Janet Weiss getting a flat tyre, then wandering over to an old castle to ask for help. That's where they discover an extra-terrestrial mad scientist from the galaxy of Transylvania, plus his staff and his Frankenstein-style experiments.

Bedella takes over from Jason Donovan, who has been slipping on Frank N Furter's fishnets down south. So far, the Australian tour has also been starring Myf Warhurst as The Narrator; however, whether she'll take on that role on the Gold Coast hasn't been confirmed. Either way, the show also features Ellis Dolan (School of Rock) as Eddie/Dr Scott, Darcey Eagle (Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical) as Columbia, Ethan Jones (9 to 5 The Musical) as Brad, Deirdre Khoo (Once) as Janet, Loredo Malcolm as Rocky (Hamilton) and Henry Rollo (Jagged Little Pill the Musical) as Riff Raff.

Since first premiering in London in June 1973, The Rocky Horror Show has played in more than 30 countries — and over 30 million people have seen songs like 'Science Fiction/Double Feature', 'Dammit, Janet!', 'Sweet Transvestite', 'Over at the Frankenstein Place' and 'Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me'. If you haven't been before — and missed the live broadcast from Sydney back in March — this is your turn to join in.

The Rocky Horror Show's 2023 Australian tour will play The Star on the Gold Coast from Sunday, September 3, with tickets on sale now via the production's website.

Images: Daniel Boud.