'The Rocky Horror Show' Will Do the Time Warp Again in Melbourne From May 2023

Melbourne musical fans, the iconic theatre shows just keep coming — and the next production heading the city's way wants you to take a jump to the left. After already announcing an Australian comeback in 2023, starting with a Sydney premiere season, The Rocky Horror Show has locked in Melbourne dates from late autumn.

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.

In 2023, Melbourne audiences will be able to listen closely — and watch Jason Donovan as Frank N Furter put his hands on his hips, then bring his knees in tight, too — when the famed musical plays the Athenaeum Theatre on its huge 50th-anniversary tour.

The Rocky Horror Show's brand-new Aussie run will kick off at Theatre Royal Sydney in February, then open in Melbourne on Thursday, May 18, with other stops and dates afterwards yet to be announced. 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 — and, yes, doing 'The Time Warp' is essential.

As well as Donovan slipping on Frank N Furter's fishnets (fresh from popping back up in Ramsay Street to farewell Neighbours), the new Australian tour will star Myf Warhurst as The Narrator. Also set to feature: 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, this is your turn to join in.

The Rocky Horror Show's 2023 Australian tour will play Melbourne's Athenaeum Theatre from Thursday, May 18, with tickets on sale now via the production's website.

Images: Richard Davenport, The Rocky Horror Show UK tour.