Rocky Horror to return to Melbourne in 2015

It’s back! Ten months after its closing season in Melbourne, Rocky Horror will finish its short, surprise season at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre and head back to Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre, with performances from 12 June 2015.

Melbourne’s 2014 season was a sold-out success, but couldn’t extend to meet demand as Criag McLachlan had shooting obligations for the third season of The Dr. Blake Mysteries.

McLachlan will reprise his role as Frank N Furter, the role for which he nabbed a Helpmann award earlier this year. Kristian Lavercombe will return as Riff Raff, Brendan Irving as Rocky, and Nicholas Cristo as Eddie and Doctor Scott.

Bert Newton, who will play the role of the Narrator in the Sydney season, will also play the role in the Melbourne season. It’s a year of return seasons for Newton, who will soon reprise the role of Vince Fontaine in the second Melbourne season of Grease.

Additional casting will be announced at a later date.

“With Craig and Bert leading the Rocky Horror cast,” producer John Frost said today, “This is sure to be an even wilder and sexier night out than ever before!”

Reviews have been mixed for this revival of Rocky Horror, even amongst the writers at AussieTheatre. Bobbi-Lea Dionysius in Brisbane said the production was “outrageous fun for a contemporary audience“; in Melbourne, Anne-Marie Peard thought the show struggled to stand alone from its legacy, saying “it’s such a reflection and celebration of 41 years of Rocky that it’s never given the chance to be or find itself.” In Adelaide, Rowan James thought that “The high energy production, spear-headed by Craig McLachlan, ensures nothing less than an enjoyable and memorable night at the theatre.”

Still, it’s the season for mainstage musical returns, with Grease (which also received mixed reviews) making its way back to Melbourne, and now Rocky Horror is following suit.

It looks like these crowd favourites show no sign of consumer fatigue, and that the entertainment value of beloved shows continues to prevail. And the more that they do, the more employment opportunities we have for our actors, and the more people remember how valuable and wonderful a night at the theatre can really be – and that’s important to ensure we keep having audiences to new shows, and new theatre experiences.

Tickets for the Melbourne return season of Rocky Horror will be available from December 15. Tickets for the Sydney season are currently available. For more information, tickets for Sydney, and to waitlist for Melbourne tickets, visit rockyhorror.com.au.