Let's do the Time Warp again! Jason Donovan to star in Rocky Horror
Jason Donovan is returning to Australia to don the iconic fishnets, corset and platform heels of Dr Frank N Furter in a 50th anniversary production of The Rocky Horror Show.
It's not the first time the Neighbours actor has played the character, previously transforming into the cult classic for the 25th anniversary of Rocky Horror back in 1998.
The role was originally brought to life on screen by Tim Curry in the Rocky Horror Picture Show in 1975, after finding years of success on the West End as a broadway show.
Now reprising the role, Donovan told Sunrise he is excited to lose himself in the chaotic world once again.
“You’ve really got to come out of yourself, quite extroverted in a way, and there’s a bit of naughtiness and cheekiness in this character,” Donovan told Edwina Bartholomew.
“But what really drives me to this role is the music and the fantasy of the story - it appeals to that cheeky side in all of us, and, as an actor, that’s an interesting place to start, with a great character and some great songs.”
“Theatre has been incredibly good to me as well and that’s why something like Rocky is really a great moment, to be able to bring Rocky back to Australia and celebrate my craft and what I’ve learnt, at the age I am, to Australian audiences is something I’m very excited about, so look out Sydney here I come.”
In June this year, he was asked to perform at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Concert - an honour that holds even greater significance now.
“I was in Australia when I was rung by Andrew Lloyd Webber, he left a message and said ‘I don’t know where you are, but give me a call’ ... and I rang him back and he said ‘would you be up for performing at the Jubilee?’ and I said ‘sure’."
“I didn’t understand the gravity of what the concert meant - and that moment meant ... it’s certainly, in my career, one of the biggest things I’ve been involved with.”
The new Australian production of The Rocky Horror Show will open at Theatre Royal Sydney in February 2023, also starring Myf Warhurst as The Narrator.
Image credits: Getty Images / Film Publicity Archives