'The Rocky Horror Show' Will Do the Time Warp Again in Sydney and Melbourne in 2024

Musical fans of New South Wales and Victoria, the iconic theatre shows just keep coming, including for return seasons — and the latest production heading the region's way again wants you to take a jump to the left, then a step to the right. After already starting its Australian comeback in 2023, which featured Sydney and Melbourne stints, The Rocky Horror Show has locked in return dates to both cities in 2024.

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 February, Melburnians will be able to listen closely again. From the end of March, the same will be true for Sydneysiders. Jason Donovan will be back as Frank N Furter, too, putting his hands on his hips, then bring his knees in tight at the Athenaeum Theatre and Theatre Royal Sydney.

The dates: from Friday, February 9 in Melbourne and from Sunday, March 31 in Sydney. The show is also doing a Newcastle season from Friday, January 12 at the Civic Theatre.

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.

Spicks and Specks favourite Myf Warhurst will also be back as The Narrator. The show also features fellow returnees Ellis Dolan (School of Rock) as Eddie/Dr Scott, Darcey Eagle (Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical) as Columbia, Deirdre Khoo (Once) as Janet and Henry Rollo (Jagged Little Pill the Musical) as Riff Raff.

Since initially 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 2024 AUSTRALIAN TOUR:

From Friday, January 12 — Civic Theatre, Newcastle.
From Friday, February 9 — Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne
From Sunday, March 31 — Theatre Royal Sydney

The Rocky Horror Show's 2024 Australian tour will kick off in January, with tickets on sale now via the production's website.

Images: Daniel Boud.