In recent years, The Rocky Horror Show has seen many Australian revivals. Just when you think you’ve seen the last of Frank-N-Furter, he vengefully struts back onto the stage with his poise, arrogance and over-the-top campness.
Now celebrating its 50_year anniversary, a new production is currently touring the country with Jason Donovan and David Bedella sharing lead. Renown Shakespearean actor Christopher Luscombe is the director.
Loredo Malcom plays Rocky in The Rocky Horror Show
Previous Australian versions of the bisexual mad scientist make up an impressive list – Reg Livermore, Daniel Abineri, Simon Westaway, Marcus Graham, Dale Ryder, Tim Ferguson, Craig McLachlan, Todd McKenny, Julian McMahon, iOTA and Maria Mercedes – the first woman in the role.
Although forever branded as Scott Robinson from Neighbours, Donovan is no stranger to theatre. Over the years he’s played in Grease, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Sweeny Todd, Chitty Chitty Bang Band and The Sound of Music. He was also Frank-N-Furter in the 1998 UK production. Having previously worn the fishnets, it is a role he plays with confidence and nuance, despite a rather shabby-looking wig!
Jason Donovan as Frank-N-Furter and Henry Rollo as Riff Raff
David Bedella has gained acclaim for Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Torch Song Trilogy and The Producers. He won a Laurence Olivier Award for his performance in Jerry Springer: The Opera and is no stranger to Frank-N-Furter, having toured the UK in 2006.
Myf Warhurst as the Narrator
As for the ‘man with the blonde hair and a tan’, taking on Rocky is resident hunk Loredo Malcom. Having first studied performing arts as a child in Jamaica, Malcom has made his name in The Lion King, Hairspray, Wicked, Chicago and The Book of Mormon. Athletically talented, he runs his own dance company and has performed with both Kiesha and Kylie Minogue.
Loredo Malcom plays Rocky in The Rocky Horror Show
The cast is rounded out by Stellar Perry as Magenta, Ellis Dolan as Eddie/Dr Scott, Darcey Eagle is Columbia and Henry Rollo as Riff Raff. Ethan Jones and Deirdre Khoo are the unexpected houseguests Brad and Janet.
Standout performances come through Rollo’s great vocal range and his ever-sinister Riff Raff, while Jones’s charismatic portrayal of Brad has great comic timing.
Deirdre Khoo and Ethan Jones as houseguests Brad and Janet
As the Narrator, Myf Warhurst (Spicks and Specks) seems a fish-out-of-water in the high energy atmosphere of the show. But that’s not to say we don’t love her to bits. Nicholas Hammond from The Sound of Music film fills the same shoes in Perth.
The Rocky Horror Show is such a vibrant, majestic and timeless production that it’s always a winner despite any criticisms. At fifty years Rocky Horror still shows no signs of aging.
Currently playing at Melbourne’s Atheneum Theatre.
For more visit: rockyhorror.com.au
The cast of The Rocky Horror Show
