Jason Donovan to Star as Frank ’n’ Furter in The Rocky Horror Show
Singing superstar Jason Donovan will be starring in Richard O’Brien’s legendary musical, The Rocky Horror Show when it comes to Newcastle Theatre Royal as part of its UK tour (Mon 27 Jan – Sat 1 Feb 2025). The legendary performer will be reprising his iconic role as the captivating Frank ‘n' Furter, performing it for audiences across the UK for the first time in over 25 years.
Jason and the cast (still to be announced) will be bringing their biggest party yet to audiences across the country. Since it first opened in London in June 1973 at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show has become the world’s favourite Rock ‘N’ Roll musical, having been performed worldwide over 45 years in more than 30 countries and translated into 20 languages.
Jason said: "I am thrilled to dive into the exhilarating role of Frank 'n' Furter with a fantastic new cast and Time Warp with audiences throughout the UK. We promise to deliver the freshest Rocky ever, that audiences will not forget. So, buckle up, as the show promises to be a wild and wicked ride!"
Neighbours icon and pop legend Jason Donovan will be donning his fishnets for UK audiences after a sell-out season at the Theatre Royal, Sydney for which he received rave reviews. Most recently onstage at Newcastle Theatre Royal in 2022 when playing the Pharoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jason made his West End debut in 1991 playing Joseph in the London revival and had a hugely successful stage career with credits including Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Grease The Musical. Jason’s debut album went platinum in Australia and was the biggest-selling album in the UK in 1989. Since then, he has sold over 13 million albums worldwide and continues to tour with his live show.
Directed by Christopher Luscombe, the smash hit show features all of the famous musical numbers which have made The Rocky Horror Show such a huge hit for over four decades, including “Sweet Transvestite”, “Science Fiction/Double Feature”, “Dammit Janet” and, of course, the timeless floor-filler, “The Time Warp” .
The Rocky Horror Show tells the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two squeaky clean college kids who meet Dr Frank ’n’ Furter by chance when their car breaks down outside his house whilst on their way to visit their favourite college professor. It’s an adventure they’ll never forget, with fun, frolics, frocks and frivolity, bursting with timeless songs and outrageous outfits. The Rocky Horror Show is a guaranteed party, which famously combines science-fiction, horror, comedy and music while encouraging audience participation - meaning, of course, getting dressed up in the most outrageous fancy dress.
The Rocky Horror Show first began life in 1973 before an audience of just 63 people in the Royal Court’s Theatre Upstairs. It was an immediate success and transferred to the Chelsea Classic Cinema, before going on to run at the Kings Road Theatre, 1973-79 and the Comedy Theatre in the West End, 1979-80. In 1975 it was transformed into a film called ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’. This film adaptation took over $135 million at the Box Office and is still shown in cinemas around the world more than 40 years after its premiere, making it the longest-running theatrical release in cinema history.
The Rocky Horror Show plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Monday 27th January to Sat 1st February 2025. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.
