UK productions The Rocky Horror Show has toured the United Kingdom regularly since the 1990–91 West End revival at the
Piccadilly Theatre in productions produced by
Christopher Malcolm's,
Richard O'Brien's and
Howard Panter's
Rocky Horror Company. Notable celebrities have been cast including
Daniel Abineri,
Peter Blake,
Tim McInnerny,
Anthony Head,
Robin Cousins,
Jason Donovan and
Jonathan Wilkes as Frank-N-Furter,
Gina Bellman as Janet Weiss,
Edward Tudor-Pole as Riff Raff and TV's
Craig Ferguson and
Adrian Edmondson as Brad Majors,
Kate O’Sullivan as Magenta/Usherette. Throughout the 90's and into the 00's it evolved and emerged as the behemoth touring show that it is thanks to the dedication of
Christopher Malcolm who also directed several productions in the UK, Germany, South Africa and Buenos Aires amongst others. '''''Richard O'Brien's Rocky Horror Show''''' completed its 2006–2007 tour on 14 July 2007 in Woking, Surrey after touring for almost eighteen months. The tour was directed by Christopher Luscombe and featured
David Bedella as Frank. The 2006 tour cast, accompanied by
Roger Lloyd-Pack as the Narrator and author O'Brien, performed "
The Time Warp" live in Trafalgar Square on 22 July 2006 as part of
The Big Dance event and was broadcast on BBC1's
Dancing in the Street. In 2008 David Bedella released his first album
The Dean St. Sessions, produced by Nathan Amzi, which included a duet with O'Brien singing "I'm Going Home" as a bonus video. In March 2009, the show returned with a new UK tour starting in the autumn. With Christopher Luscombe returning as the director, the tour was a revival of the 2006–2007 production with some adjustments to the direction, lighting, choreography, costumes and musical arrangements. The tour opened on 17 September 2009 at the
New Wimbledon Theatre and closed on 4 December 2010 at the newly opened
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre. The first leg of the tour ran from September 2009 to July 2010 with a short break over the Christmas period. David Bedella reprised his role as Frank. The second leg of the tour began on 1 September 2010 at the
New Victoria Theatre,
Woking with several changes to the cast. During the UK tour's summer break director Christopher Luscombe and the show's creative team recreated the UK production in
Seoul,
South Korea with a new cast of American, Australian and New Zealander actors and local celebrities as the Narrator. The production played from August until October 2010 before a five-week
New Zealand tour in November and December with Richard O'Brien making a rare appearance as the Narrator.
2006 charity concert On 3 May 2006, a
benefit concert version of the musical to raise money for
Amnesty International. Entitled
The Rocky Horror Tribute Show, it was staged at the
Royal Court Theatre (where the show had its world premiere in 1973) as a one night only event hosted by Richard O'Brien. The cast featured
Anthony Head and
Michael Ball sharing the role of Frank-N-Furter,
Ade Edmondson and
Stephen Gately sharing the role of Brad, Joanne Farrell and
Sophie Lawrence sharing the role of Janet,
Kraig Thornber as Riff Raff,
Toyah Willcox as Magenta, Amy Rosefield as Columbia, Gary Amers as Rocky Horror,
Ben Richards as Eddie, Julian Littman as Dr. Scott, and original cast member
Patricia Quinn as The Usherette.
Christopher Biggins, Rayner Bourton,
Robin Cousins,
Steve Pemberton,
Tony Slattery,
Jamie Theakston and O'Brien served as the show's narrators, introducing each musical number. Christopher Luscombe has returned to direct the production, which stars
Oliver Thornton as Frank-N-Furter,
Ben Forster (winner of
ITV1 series
Superstar) as Brad Majors until February 2013,
Roxanne Pallett (of
Emmerdale) as Janet Weiss until May 2013 and
Rhydian Roberts (of
The X Factor) as Rocky until March 2013. Unlike recent productions, the tour will not feature interchanging guest Narrators with
Philip Franks taking on the role. The show also features
Kristian Lavercombe returning to the role of Riff Raff, Abigail Jaye as Magenta/Usherette, Ceris Hine reprising the role of Columbia, Joel Montague as Eddie/Dr Scott, and Maria Coyne, Christos Dante, David Gale, and Rachel Grundy as the Phantoms, with Andrew Ahern as the swing.
Live broadcast/2015–2016 UK tour In 2015, the tour was staged at the London
Playhouse Theatre and also broadcast in many cinemas across Europe, as well as on the
BBC in October 2015, with Richard O'Brien taking the role as Narrator for the London dates only. On opening night, he received seven standing ovations when appearing on-stage. Tickets for the first week sold out in 72 hours so a second week was added. A UK-wide tour followed the London production. In 1981, director Peter Barclay's new interpretation of RTC production, marked by a fusion of directorial integrity and razzle-dazzle of colour and movement, opened on 22 July 1981 at Civic Theatre,
Wagga Wagga. The cast included Terry O'Connell as Frank-N-Furter (reprising his role from the 1978 production), Annie Stanford as Janet, Paul Minifie as The Narrator, Bob Baines (another former member of the 1978 production) as Riff Raff, and
Wayne Pygram as Rocky Horror.
1981–1982 tour Wilton Morley's new production of
The Rocky Horror Show opened 6 October 1981 at the
Theatre Royal, Sydney. The Sydney revival show toured successfully to Melbourne, Rockhampton, Townsville, Mount Isa, Canberra, Newcastle, Hobart, Launceston, Perth, Adelaide, and closed in
Brisbane in October 1982.
David Toguri (who had previously done the choreography for the 1975
film adaptation of the musical) directed and choreographed the revival show. During the tour, the role of The Narrator was shared between three different actors:
Stuart Wagstaff,
Ian "Molly" Meldrum (for 3 weeks in February during the Melbourne season) and
Noel Ferrier (during the Adelaide season). Later, at the Rialto Theatre in Brisbane, set designer Geoff Bieleseld used different stage levels to give the impression of space, which was an adaptation based on original designs by Brian Thomson. In Brisbane and Sydney
Reg Livermore, the show's original Frank-N-Furter, was cast in the same role. The cast featured
Anne Looby as Janet Weiss, David Garrett as Brad Majors (later Graeme McKeachie during the Brisbane/Sydney seasons), David Wheeler as Riff Raff, Suzanne Dudley as Magenta/Usherette (later Nataly Mosco during the Brisbane/Sydney seasons), Jill Watt as Columbia (later Cassandra Webb, Gina Mendoza),
Wayne Pygram as Eddie/Dr. Scott, Ray Coughlin as Rocky Horror, and
Stuart Wagstaff as Narrator (early in the tour David Clendinning).
1985 rural tour Peter Batey directed the new all-star revival-production, which starred Joe Daniels in the central role of Frank-N-Furter. The show was mounted for limited engagements from August till November 1985 in
Townsville,
Cairns,
Mount Isa,
Mackay,
Gladstone,
Rockhampton,
Tweed Heads,
Newcastle,
Burnie,
Launceston,
Hobart,
Canberra,
Wagga Wagga,
Albury,
Wangaratta,
Shepparton,
Warragul, and
Ballarat.
1986–1988 Australasia tour Morley's production was re-launched yet again in 1986, with
Daniel Abineri both as director and in the lead role of Frank-N-Furter. This time the tour commenced in New Zealand, where its cast included local actors
Andrew Binns as Brad, Ann Wilson as Janet, Andrea Cunningham as Magenta/Usherette, Rachel King as Columbia and
Russell Crowe as Eddie/Dr. Scott. For a brief stint, former New Zealand Prime Minister
Robert Muldoon appeared as the Narrator. The following year, the production transferred to the
Princess Theatre (and later the
Comedy Theatre) in
Melbourne, Australia for an eight-month run, and toured Australia for several years visiting
Sydney,
Perth,
Tweed Heads,
Brisbane (where it was staged as part of the
World Expo 88),
Parramatta,
Newcastle and
Canberra. The cast featured Daniel Abineri as Frank-N-Furter, Megan Shapcott as Janet Weiss,
Simon Westaway as Brad Majors, David Wheeler as Riff Raff, Lyn Shakespeare as Magenta/Usherette, Michelle Argue as Columbia (later Gina Mendoza),
Steve Bastoni as Rocky Horror, and The Narrator variously was played by
Gordon Chater, Stuart Wagstaff and others. By the time the tour reached Brisbane, Daniel Abineri had retired as director and star and – based on Abineri's original production, Wilton Morley took over duties, with
Simon Westaway (who had played previously Brad in the Australian tour) as Frank-N-Furter. Other cast changes included: Ann Wilson and Andrew Binns as Janet and Brad (reprising their roles from the New Zealand tour),
Bob Baines (and later Greg Parke) as Riff Raff, Luz Yeomans as Magenta/Usherette, Walter Grkovic as Eddie /Dr. Scott, Anthony Russell as Rocky Horror, and
Bernard King as Narrator. The production ended with a second New Zealand tour, which was directed by Terry O'Connell (late of the Riverina Trucking Company productions) with
Simon Westaway as Frank-N-Furter. The rest of the cast mainly comprised New Zealand talent, including actor/director John Banas and comedian
Billy T. James alternating as the Narrator. The tour visited
Wellington,
Auckland,
Palmerston North,
Christchurch,
Dunedin and officially came to an end in December 1988. It has been noted for being the last production based on the original show's script and set design, before readaptation for the 1990 UK West End revival.
1992 tour In 1992, a revival production was launched by producer Paul Dainty under the title
The New Rocky Horror Show. Directed and designed by
Nigel Triffitt, it toured Australia, boasting a troupe of well-known Australian soap stars and comedians. Tour commenced Melbourne Comedy Theatre 2 July 1992 and the cast featured
Craig McLachlan as Frank-N-Furter (later
Marcus Graham),
Gina Riley as Janet Weiss (later
Ally Fowler),
Stephen Kearney as Brad Majors (later
Glenn Butcher), Linda Nagle as Magenta/ Usherette,
Peter Rowsthorn as Riff Raff,
Alyssa-Jane Cook as Columbia,
Wilbur Wilde as Eddie/Dr. Scott (later
Frankie J Holden), Christopher Kirby as Rocky Horror, and
Red Symons as The Narrator.
1996 tour Nigel Triffitt's interpretation of the musical was revived in 1996 for a new national tour. The tour commenced in February at the
Lyric Theatre in
Brisbane, with
Marcus Graham, Glenn Butcher,
Peter Rowsthorn,
Wilbur Wilde, and
Red Symons reprising their roles from the 1992 tour. The new cast members featured
Kym Wilson as Janet Weiss, Lucy Briant as Magenta,
Jo Beth Taylor in the double role as Columbia and Usherette, and Ron Reeve as Rocky Horror. During the
Perth season of the tour,
Neighbours star
Jason Donovan took over from
Marcus Graham as Frank-N-Further. When production completed its tour in
Adelaide, the final cast featured
Boom Crash Opera vocalist Dale Ryder as Frank-N-Furter,
Jane Turner as Janet Weiss, Peter Rowsthorn (who started the tour in the role of Riff Raff) as Brad Majors, Richard Piper as Riff Raff, Lucy Briant as Magenta/Usherette,
Annie Jones as Columbia/Usherette,
George Kapiniaris as Eddie/Dr. Scott, Ron Reeve as Rocky Horror, singer
Kamahl as Narrator. The following year, in 1997, the production was revived for a tour of
Hong Kong, featuring Dale Ryder as Frank-N-Furter, Lucy Briant as Janet,
Geoff Paine as Brad,
George Kapiniaris as Riff Raff, Jenny Vuletic as Magenta//Usherette, Hali Gordon as Columbia, Michael- John Hurney as Eddie/Dr. Scott Ron Reeve as Rocky and Harry Wong as Narrator.
1998 Sydney revival In July 1998, Nigel Triffitt re-mounted his interpretation of
The New Rocky Horror Show at Sydney's
Star City Casino, to celebrate the musical's 25th anniversary. The cast featured
Tim Ferguson as Frank-N-Furter,
Tottie Goldsmith as Janet Weiss,
Dee Smart as Columbia/Usherette, and Jennifer Vuletic as Magenta/Usherette, while
Glenn Butcher,
Peter Rowsthorn,
Wilbur Wilde,
Ron Reeve and
Red Symons (who all appeared in the original 1992 and 1996 tours of Triffitt's production) reprised their roles as Brad, Riff Raff, Eddie/Dr. Scott, Rocky and Narrator.
2004 Brisbane Revival From 2 November to 28 November 2004, a revival of
The Rocky Horror Show was staged at the
Twelfth Night Theatre in
Brisbane, under the direction of Tony Alcock, and produced by the
On the Boards Theatre Company. The cast featured
Stefan Cooper-Fox as Frank-N-Furter, Crystal Taylor as Janet Weiss, Brad Kendrick as Brad Majors, Venessa Crowley as Magenta and The Usherette, Graham Moore as Riff Raff, Jacy Lewis as Columbia,
David Knijnenburg as Eddie and Dr. Scott, and
Steven Tandy as The Narrator.
2004 charity concert In November 2004, the cast of the Australian soap opera
Neighbours staged a benefit concert production of
Rocky Horror, to raise money for the charities
Variety Club Australia and the
Taralye School for Deaf Children.
2008 Australian revival In 2008,
Gale Edwards staged a revival of
The Rocky Horror Show at the Star Theatre in Sydney, Australia, where it played from 12 February to 30 March. The production starred
iOTA as Frank-N-Furter, Kellie Rhode as Janet Weiss,
Andrew Bevis as Brad Majors
Tamsin Carroll as Magenta and the usherette,
Paul Capsis as Riff Raff,
Sharon Millerchip as Columbia (a role that won her a
Helpmann Award for Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical),
Michael Cormick as Eddie and Dr. Scott, Simon Farrow as Rocky Horror, and
John Waters as The Narrator. The revival later transferred to the
Comedy Theatre in Melbourne, where it played a seven-month run (from September 2008 to March 2009). Television presenter
Gretel Killeen replaced Waters as the narrator for the first half of the Melbourne run, while media personality
Derryn Hinch played the role for the remainder of the run.
2014–2015 Australian tour In January 2014, a new Australian tour of the UK production began to celebrate the show's 40th anniversary. While keeping a similar stage to the one in the UK Tour, it featured a new cast with
Craig McLachlan reprising the role of Frank, which he played in the 1992 Australian Production. Additional cast members include
Tim Maddren as Brad,
Christie Whelan Browne (later
Teagan Woulters) as Janet, Ashlea Pyke as Columbia,
Erika Heynatz as Magenta/Usherette, Nicholas Christo as Eddie/Dr. Scott, Brendan Irving as Rocky, and Tony Farrell as the Narrator.
Kristian Lavercombe reprises his role of Riff Raff from both the UK Tour and the New Zealand production. The Phantoms are played by Vincent Hooper, Luigi Lucente, Meghan O'Shea, Angela Scundi, and James Maxfield. The tour premiered in Brisbane on 10 January 2014 at the
Queensland Performing Arts Centre and ran until 9 February. The tour then transferred to Perth's
Crown Theatre and ran from 16 February 2014 to 9 March 2014. The performance transferred to the
Adelaide Festival Centre to run from 21 March 2014 to 13 April 2014 with a preview on 20 March 2014. Richard O'Brien took over the role of the Narrator for the run in Adelaide. The performance then transferred to the
Melbourne Comedy Theatre. It ran from 26 April 2014 with previews from 23 April 2014 before finishing its run on 22 June 2014. The tour then took a break due to scheduling conflicts and McLachlan's involvement in
The Doctor Blake Mysteries before transferring to the
Sydney Lyric Theatre where it ran from 15 April 2015 to 7 June 2015. It featured new additional replacement cast members which included
Stephen Mahy as Brad, Amy Lehpamer as Janet, Angelique Cassimatis as Columbia, Jayde Westaby as Magenta/Usherette, and
Bert Newton as the Narrator. The Phantoms are played by Darren Tyler, Drew Weston, and Suzanne Steele. The performance then returned for its final encore back at the
Melbourne Comedy Theatre. It ran from 12 June 2015 before concluding on 19 July 2015 after being extended for one additional week due to popular demand. O'Brien took over the role of the Narrator for a week in Melbourne. In December 2017, an encore tour began in Adelaide.
Craig McLachlan briefly reprised his portrayal of Frank-N-Furter, but had to drop out of the production when it was alleged that during the original 2014 tour of
Rocky Horror, he
sexually assaulted cast members
Erika Heynatz,
Christie Whelan Browne and Angela Scundi. Ensemble member Adam Rennie took over the role of Frank throughout the rest of Adelaide season, and continued to play the part in Brisbane and Sydney, before being replaced by
Todd McKenney for the Melbourne run of the show.
50th anniversary Australian tour In February 2023, the tour began at the
Theatre Royal in Sydney starring
Jason Donovan as Frank N Furter and
Myf Warhurst as The Narrator. Throughout the tour, the role of Frank N Furter was alternated with West-End performer
David Bedella and the narrator with
Nicholas Hammond. Additional cast members include Stellar Perry as Magenta/Usherette, Henry Rollo as Riff Raff, Ethan Jones as Brad,
Deirdre Khoo as Janet, Loredo Malcolm as Rocky, Darcey Eagle as Columbia and Eliis Dolan as Eddie/Dr Scott. On April 19, the show's creator
Richard O'Brien joined the production for its 50th-anniversary opening night gala at the
Adelaide Festival Theatre, sharing the role of Narrator with Myf Warhurst.
European productions Belgian productions In 1978, from 29 April to 10 June 1978, the Belgian production of the Rocky Horror Show was staged at Teater Arena Ghent in
Belgium, under the direction of Jaak Van de Velde. The cast featured Daan Van den Durpel as Frank-N-Furter,
Linda Lepomme as Janet, Marijn Devalck as Brad, Wim Huys as Riff-Raff, Carmen Jonckheere as Magenta/Usherette, Chris Thys as Columbia, Jakob Beks as Eddie/Dr. Scott, Paul Codde as Rocky Horror, and Bert Van Tichelen as The Narrator. The libretto was translated by Hugo Heinen and Rene Solleveld. Credits: Production 1978. Director: Jaak Van de Velde; Decor and Costumes: Jacques Berwouts; Choreography: Lilly De Munter; Assistant Choreography: Daan Van Den Durpel; Photography: Guido De Leeuw; Sound: Jean-Pierre Bouckaert, Luc Vandeputte and Jacques Veys; Sound design: Jean-Pierre Bouckaert, Raf Lenssens and Luc Vandeputte, Backing: Nancy Dee; Music: Tony Boast, Raf Lenssens, Walter Stes and David Warwick. The show was later remounted at the same venue from 19 November 1983 to 7 January 1984. The cast featured Daan Van den Durpel and Marijn Devalck reprising their portrayals of Frank-N-Furter and Brad, Norma Hendy as Janet, Karel Deruwe as Riff Raff, Daisy Haegeman as Magenta/Usherette, Annick Christiaens as Columbia, Jan de Bruyne as Eddie/Dr. Scott, Jo De Backer as Rocky Horror, and David Davidse as The Narrator. The show closed in early January the following year. Credits: Production 1983–1984. Director: Jaak Van de Velde; Decor and Costumes: Jacques Berwouts; Choreography: Daan Van Den Durpel; Photography: Guido De Leeuw; Backing: Erna Plasterman; Orchestra: Tony Boast, Bart Bracke, Filip Demeyere, Willy Seeuws and Walter Stes.
Danish productions The musical opened at the Gladsaxe Theater in
Copenhagen,
Denmark on 28 September 1974. The cast featured
Willy Rathnov as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, Kirsten Peüliche as Janet Weiss, as Brad Majors,
Jesper Klein as Riff-Raff, Lykke Nielsen as Magenta/Usherette,
Lisbet Lundquist as Columbia,
Otto Brandenburg as Eddie/Dr. Scott, Bent Warburg as Rocky Horror, and
Jørgen Buckhøj as The Narrator. Two revival shows of the Danish production were staged under the direction of Per Pellesen, at the
Aalborg Theater, Jutland in 1992 and at the
Nørrebros Theater, Copenhagen in 2003.
Dutch productions A Dutch-language version of the musical opened on 18 March 1976 at the in
Nieuwendijk, Amsterdam. Produced by René Solleveld, who also served as co-translator for the libretto, working with screenwriter Hugo Heinen. Directed by Derek Goldby; choreography by Serge-Henri Valcke; decor and costumes by Bob Ringwood; musical direction by Ruud Bos and performed by, the Amsterdam-based rock band, "Water". The cast featured Hugo Metsers as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, Trudy de Jong as Janet Weiss,
Derek de Lint as Brad Majors, Hans Beijer as Riff-Raff,
Moniek Toebosch as Magenta/Usherette, Thea Ranft as Columbia, Robert Funcke as Eddie/Dr. Scott, Peter van de Wouw as Rocky Horror, and Jan Staal as The Narrator. The show only ran for a month, before poor ticket sales forced it to close.
French productions A French-language version of the musical was staged at the
Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin,
Paris in 1975. Production by Jean-Pierre Reyes in association with Michael White. Original text and music booklet by Richard O'Brien; adapted into French by
Javier Arroyuelo and Rafael Lopez Sanchez, the song's lyrics were translated by
Alain Boublil; directed by Pierre Spivakoff; sets and costumes by Elisabeth Saurel and choreography by Victor Upshaw. The cast featured Pierre Spivakoff as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, Nathalie Brehal as Janet Weiss, Roger Mirmont as Brad Majors (renamed Paul in the production), Gérard Surugue as Riff-Raff, as Magenta/The Usherette, Celia Booth as Columbia,
Ticky Holgado as Eddie/Dr. Scott, Jeffrey Kime as Rocky Horror, Geoffrey Carey as The Narrator.
German productions In 1980, two different interpretations of the musical were staged in Germany. In 1980 director
Walter Bockmayer, released The Rocky Horror Show in Essen as a German premiere, which opened on 20 January 1980 at the Grillo-Theater. This production deviated greatly from the original London productions in regards to characterisation, costuming and set design. Instead of the morbid castle Bockmayer's extravagant design set his lustful Transylvanians in a sterile hospital on time travel. Frank-N-Furter was played by the American guest star Decoven C. Washington, who thus became the first black man to embody the main antagonist. The cast also featured Rotraut Rieger as Janet Weiss, Detlev Greisner as Brad Majors, Fritz Brieserheister as Riff-Raff, Jutta Bryde as Magenta, Sue Hürzeler as Columbia, Yoyo Petit as Eddie, Manfried Hilbig as Dr. Scott, Till Krabbe as Rocky Horror, Siegfried Wittig as Narrator, and Helmut Fülberth as Usherette. The second was a production imported from England by producer Cameron Mackintosh, which ran briefly in October/November. The show was supposed to have an extensive run, but a lack of co-operation from the German producers saw Mackintosh pull the show after only a few weeks. Mackintosh's production primarily featured a cast of English actors, which included
Jeff Shankley as Frank-N-Furter,
Philip Bretherton as Brad, Perry Bedden (a cast member from the film adaptation of
Rocky Horror) as Riff-Raff,
Trevor Byfield as Eddie/Dr. Scott, and
Nicholas Courtney as The Narrator.
Norwegian production The musical premiered on 11 October 1977 at the
Oslo Nye Centralteatret in
Oslo,
Norway, boasting a cast of both established actors and popular names from the music industry. The production was directed by
David Toguri (with assistance from Brian Thomson), while Richard O'Brien's original script was translated into Norwegian by actor Johan Fillinger and musician
Ole Paus. The show generated heated controversy in the press, with newspapers and commentators declaring that the show signified the decline of morality in the country. But despite the press' hostility, the show performed a total of 129 times, before officially closing 18 March 1978. The cast featured
Knut Husebø as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, Kari Ann Grønsund as Janet Weiss (renamed "Janee" in the production), Ivar Nørve as Brad Majors (renamed "Jan"),
Jahn Teigen as Riff-Raff,
Gro Anita Schønn as Magenta and The Usherette,
Julie Ege as Columbia, Per Elvis Granberg as Eddie,
Egil Åsman as Dr. Scott, Zakhir Helge Linaae as Rocky Horror, and
Bjarne Bø as The Narrator. The musical returned to Oslo in 2000 at the
Centralteatret, directed by Tony Totino. Richard O'Brien's original script was presented largely unaltered, introducing the rock musical to a new generation of Norwegian audiences. The production received generally positive reviews for its energy and fidelity to the original work, running for several months. The musical returned again in 2025, with a new production at Centralteatret, directed by
Heiki Riipinen. This staging featured live music and ensemble performances, emphasizing the musical’s camp, sci-fi, and rock elements, and was noted for its inclusive and celebratory approach to the cult classic. In the 2025 production, Dr. Frank-N-Furter was portrayed by
Adrian Angelico, Riff-Raff by Gunnar Eiriksson, Rocky by Daniel "Diesel" Soheili, and Magenta by Trine Wenberg Svensen, who reprised the role she played in the 2000 production. The production retained the energy and camp of previous stagings while updating the performance for contemporary audiences, emphasizing inclusivity and the musical's rock and sci-fi elements.
Spanish productions The first Spanish staging of the musical was performed in
Madrid,
Spain from September 1974 to July 1975, which was presented as "a sexual satirical musical" directed by Gil Carretero. The libretto was translated and adapted by
Juan José Plans and Roberto Estevez, who toned down the original script's profanity an approach in response to censorship during the Franco regime. The cast featured Alfonso Nadal as Frank-N-Furter (renamed Frank-Burguesa), Flora Maria Alvaro as Janet Weiss (renamed Sibilia Cooley), Miguel Angel Godo as Brad Majors (renamed Thiero Smith), Alberto Berco as The Narrator, Pedro Mari Sanchez as Rocky Horror, Ricardo Zabala as Riff Raff, Raquel Ramirez as Columbia, Adolfo Rodriguez as Eddie/Dr. Scott and
Mayra Gómez Kemp in the double role as Magenta/ Usherette. In 1977, a Catalan-language version of the musical directed by Ventura Pons and produced by Jordi Morell, with the slogan "L'espectacle més desmadrat del segle"
(The most riotous show of the century), premiered on 4 March 1977 at Teatro Romea in
Barcelona. The libretto was translated by Narcissus Comadira, who, like the translators of the Madrid production, changed the names of the three leads, Frank-N-Further, Janet Weiss and Brad Majors. The characters were renamed Dr. Frank Esteve, Anna Prou Grossa and Ramon Poch. The cast featured Oriol Tramvia as Frank, Maria Cinta as "Anna", Jordi Ponti as "Ramon", Guillem Paris as Riff Raff, Christa Leem as Magenta and The Usherette, Dolores Laffite as Columbia, Enric Pous as Eddie/Dr. Scott, Pau Bizarro as Rocky Horror, Biel Moll as The Narrator.
European tour 1996–2005 (left) as Riff Raff and William E. Lester as Frank-N-Furter in the 1996 European tour of
The Rocky Horror Show Directed by
Christopher Malcolm (the original Brad), Choreographed by Stacey Haynes and co-produced with BC&E German Producers, the cast of the 1996–2005 European Tour included: Bob Simon/William E. Lester/Paul Pecorino as Frank-N-Furter; David Schmittou as Brad Majors; Ellen Hoffman as Janet Weiss
Amanda-Jane Manning; Caroline Liadakis/
Jo Gibb/Lisa Boucher as Columbia; Sherry Hart/Lydia Taylor/Karin Inghammar as Magenta;
David Nehls/
Gene Dante/Brenden Lovett as Riff Raff; A soundtrack CD was released by Lava Records/Polymedia International Music Service. This had been recorded in January 1996 at the Livingstone Studios in London.
European tour 2008–2009 The 2008-9 European tour began at the Admiralspalast Theater in Berlin, Germany in November 2008. Performers included Rob Morton Fowler as Frank-N-Furter; Ceri-Lyn Cissone as Janet; Chris Ellis-Stanton as Brad;
Stuart Matthew Price as Riff Raff; Maria Franzen as Magenta; Kerry Winter as Columbia; Jack Edwards as Eddie/Dr. Scott; and Andrew Gordon-Watkins as Rocky.
European tour 2014–2015 The 2014-15 European tour began at the
Lanxess Arena in
Cologne in late October 2014 before travelling to Zurich, Basel, Dortmund, Bremen, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, Vienna, Frankfurt am Main and Berlin among other venues. The cast included Rob Morton Fowler as Frank-N-Furter, Harriet Bunton as Janet,
David Ribi as Brad,
Stuart Matthew Price as Riff Raff, Hannah Cadec as Columbia, Maria Franzén as Magenta, Vincent Gray as Rocky and Charles Brunton as Eddie/Dr. Scott.
European tour 2017–2018 as Riff Raff in the European tour of
The Rocky Horror Show A European tour of
Rocky Horror commenced in
Cologne in Germany in October 2017, visiting venues across Germany and Italy before ending in
Hanover in April 2018. The cast includes: Gary Tushaw - Frank-N-Furter;
Sophie Isaacs - Janet; Felix Mosse - Brad;
Stuart Matthew Price - Riff Raff; Anna Lidman - Magenta; Holly Atterton - Columbia; Ryan Goscinski - Rocky; and Daniel Fletcher - Eddie / Dr. Scott
U.S. productions 1978 Jericho production In December 1978, the musical was staged for an eleven night run at the
Westbury Music Festival in
Jericho, New York. This was the second official production in the US after the 1975 Broadway production, and after the film's release. The cast featured Justin Ross as Frank-N-Furter,
Kristen Meadows as Janet Weiss, Stephan Burns as Brad Majors, Richard Casper as Riff-Raff, Diane Duncan as Magenta and Trixie, the Westbury Popcorn Girl (a version of The Usherette), Kitty Preston as Columbia, Robert Zanfini as Eddie and Dr. Scott, Michael Hawke as Rocky Horror, Randolph Walker as The Narrator. During the first night, the audience called back to the actors, as they did with the film. The cast were unsure how to react. Despite the unexpected heckling, the show was a success.
1980 North American production The Rocky Horror Show toured North America. The cast featured Frank Gregory as Frank-N-Furter,
Marcia Mitzman as Janet, Frank Piergo as Brad, Pendleton Brown as Riff Raff, Lorelle Brina as Magenta, Meghan Duffy as Trixie, C. J. Critt as Columbia,
Kim Milford as Rocky, and Steve Lincoln as the Narrator.
2000 Broadway revival The Rocky Horror Show had a longer revival on
Broadway from October 2000 to January 2002 at the
Circle in the Square Theatre and featured
Tom Hewitt (later
Terrence Mann) as Frank-N-Furter,
Alice Ripley as Janet,
Jarrod Emick (also
Luke Perry) as Brad,
Raúl Esparza (later
Sebastian Bach) as Riff Raff,
Joan Jett as Columbia/Usherette (later
Ana Gasteyer),
Lea DeLaria (later
Jason Wooten) as Eddie/Dr. Scott, and
Daphne Rubin-Vega as Magenta. From October 2001 to January 2002, several guest celebrities played the Narrator role normally performed by
Dick Cavett (
Kate Clinton took over for a week while Cavett was on vacation), including
Gilbert Gottfried,
Sally Jesse Raphael,
Robin Leach, magicians
Penn & Teller, New York Post columnist
Cindy Adams, MTV personality
Dave Holmes, and talk show host
Jerry Springer. It is suggested that the revival, like other shows running at the time, closed early because of financial losses during the time following
9/11: Rubin-Vega recalled, "It went from full house to practically two people." The revival was nominated for the following Tony Awards: Best Actor: Tom Hewitt; Best Costume Designer: David C. Woolard; Best Director: Christopher Ashley; and Best Musical Revival.
35th anniversary benefit performance In October 2010,
Kenny Ortega directed a benefit performance of
Rocky Horror to celebrate the musical's 35th anniversary. The show was staged as a one-night only event at the
Wiltern Theatre in
Los Angeles, and featured
Julian McMahon as Frank,
Matthew Morrison as Brad,
Lea Michele (Act 1) and
Nicole Scherzinger (Act 2) as Janet, Scherzinger as The Usherette,
Evan Rachel Wood as Magenta,
Lucas Grabeel as Riff Raff,
Melora Hardin as Columbia,
Jorge Garcia as Eddie,
George Lopez as Dr. Scott, Mike Breman as Rocky, and
Jack Nicholson and
Danny DeVito sharing the role of The Criminologist. The performance also featured a special guest appearance from
Rocky Horror veterans
Tim Curry and
Barry Bostwick, who joined the anniversary cast for an encore of "
The Time Warp". The event's proceeds went to the charity
The Painted Turtle, a
California camp for children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses.
2023 Central Square Theater production In October—December 2023, a production of
The Rocky Horror Show was produced with a majority transgender and nonbinary production team and cast at
Central Square Theater in Cambridge, MA. The musical was co-directed by Lee Mikeska Gardner (CST's Artistic Director) and Jo Michael Rezes for the 50th anniversary of the musical's London debut at the
Royal Court Theatre's Theatre Upstairs: "This production is attempting to get back to the roots of the radical nature of the 1973 show by giving it a 2023, 50-year anniversary twist by having five trans and non-binary actors in major roles in the production...trying to bring it back to the root of what the show was originally, as transgressive and radical and shocking." Rezes is the first openly nonbinary director to stage
Rocky Horror regionally in the United States, with their version of the show emphasizing gender rehearsal, phobias of
transmedicalism, and transgender representation on US stages.
2026 Broadway revival The
Roundabout Theatre Company will present a revival for the 2025–2026 season directed by
Sam Pinkleton at
Studio 54 on
Broadway, with an opening night on 23 April 2026. In October 2025, it was announced
Luke Evans was set to portray the role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. In January 2026, the rest of the company was announced, featuring
Stephanie Hsu as Janet,
Andrew Durand as Brad,
Juliette Lewis as Magenta,
Michaela Jaé Rodriguez as Columbia,
Harvey Guillen as Eddie/Dr. Scott,
Rachel Dratch as the Narrator,
Josh Rivera as Rocky and
Amber Gray as Riff Raff.
Canadian Productions 1976 Toronto In 1976, the musical, in a production by The Actors' Stage Company, received its Canadian premiere at the
Ryerson Theatre in
Toronto. The cast included
Brent Carver as Dr. Frank-N-Furter,
Kim Cattrall as Janet Weiss,
Ross Douglas as Brad Majors,
Louis Negin (who also served as the production's director) as Riff-Raff, and
Tabby Johnson as Columbia. The show ran for three weeks from 29 June to 17 July.
2018 Stratford Festival In 2018, the world renowned
Stratford Festival; more synonymous with the works of William Shakespeare and other classics performed in
repertory presented
Rocky Horror as part of its 2018 season. Choreographed and Directed by Stratford stalwart
Donna Feore,
Rocky Horror played to packed houses, and was extended multiple times past its originally scheduled closing date of Halloween; finally closing on 2 December 2018 as the longest running production in the Stratford Festival's 66-year history.
Latin American productions 1975 Brazilian production In February 1975,
The Rocky Horror Show made its debut at Teatro da Praia in
Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil. The libretto was translated and adapted by
Jorge Mautner, Joe Rodrix and Kao Rossman, in whose hands saw a great deal of Richard O'Brien's original script adapted to suit Brazilian audiences. As the Hollywood horror and sci-fi films that the musical references were not that well known in Brazil at that time, references to the local culture was instead incorporated into the show. (For example: The lyric "What ever happened to Faye Wray" in the floor show sequence was changed to reference popular Brazilian samba singer
Carmen Miranda.) The cast featured
Eduardo Conde as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, Diana Strella as Janet Weiss,
Wolf Maya as Brad Majors,
Tom Zé as Riff-Raff, Betina Viany as Magenta,
Vera Setta as Columbia,
Zé Rodrix as Eddie and Dr. Scott, Acácio Gonçalves as Rocky Horror,
Nildo Parente as The Narrator, and
Lucélia Santos as Baleira (a character possibly based on The Usherette from the original show). The cast featured Osvaldo Alé as "Frank Burguesa",
Valeria Lynch as "Sibila Cooley", Ricardo Pald as "Theiro Smith", Sergio Villar as Riff-Raff, Linda Peretz as Magenta / Acomodadora, Anna Maria Cores as Columbia, Carlos Wibratt as Eddie and Dr. Scott, Eddie Sierra (aka Yeffry) as Rocky, and
Rolo Puente as The Narrator. Martha Hendrix and Enrique Quintanilla (Fantasmas). Julissa's Spanish translation of song lyrics includes changes to the names of main characters - Brad and Janet become Carlos and Chelo while Dr. Scott is instead Dr. Carrillo. The cast featured Julissa as "Chelo",
Gonzalo Vega as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, Hector Ortiz as "Carlos", Luis Tomer as Riff-Raff, Paloma Zozaya as Magenta and Usherette, Norma Lendech as Columbia, Lauro Pavón as Eddie and "Dr. Carrillo", Cecil Goudie as Rocky Horror, and Manuel Gurria as Narrator. A cast recording of the production was released on LP in a small volume, later converted to CD-R and eventually a commercial CD. In 1986, a second production was staged in Mexico, presented again by Julissa.
2013 Panamanian production In 2013 the English community
Theatre Guild of Ancon presented the show under the direction of Melanie Gilpin (Lee). The show ran from 24 October,25,26,31 – 1 November,2 – 2013.
2016 Brazilian production In 2016, a new staging premiered in
São Paulo under the direction and production of Charles Möeller and Cláudio Botelho, a famous duo who signed previous successful Brazilian adaptations, such as
Spring Awakening and
The Sound of Music. The cast included Marcelo Médici (Frank), Bruna Guerin (Janet), Felipe de Carolis (Brad), Gottsha (Magenta/Usherette), Thiago Machado (Riff Raff), Jana Amorim (Columbia), Nicola Lama (Eddie / Dr. Scott), Felipe Mafra (Rocky) and Marcel Octavio (Narrator) with Vanessa Costa and Thiago Garça (Ghosts). Shortly before the premiere of the musical, Botelho became embroiled in controversy after posting transphobic and homophobic comments on his personal
Facebook page regarding trans people. In his words: Following the event, many Facebook users have expressed outrage at Botelho's claims. In his defense, the director said that the comments were nothing more than a joke and that they were taken out of context. According to him, it was just a discussion about the casting of actress Laverne Cox for the then-upcoming
television film. The production was still highly successful, especially for the large number of
cosplayers who, at the end of very show, were invited to dance the "Time Warp" on stage with the cast.
2016–2017 Argentinian production On August 2, 2016, it premiered in Buenos Aires, led by director
Andie Say. With 13 sold-out performances at the iconic
Teatro Maipo, they established themselves as the most successful musical of the season. The translation and adaptation were done by the renowned Marcelo Kotliar. The cast was led by Roberto Peloni (Frank N. Furter), accompanied by performers such as
Melania Lenoir (Trixie/Magenta), Federico Coates (Riff Raff), Maia Contreras (Eddie/Dr. Scott), Nacho Pérez Cortés (Rocky), Micaela Pierani Méndez (Columbia), Sofía Rangone (Janet), and
Walter Bruno (Brad). The ensemble included Lucila Muiño, Ana Victoria De Vincentiis, Facundo Magrané, Julia Tozzi, Lucas Gentili, and Mariano Condoluci. Choreography was by Alejandro Lavallen, musical and vocal direction by Lorenzo Guggenheim, costumes by Javier Ponzio, and set design by Ana Diaz Taibo. As a unique feature, the role of the criminologist was portrayed by various local entertainment figures such as: 2016 Season:
Marcos Mundstock,
Aníbal Pachano,
Nicolás Scarpino,
Diego Ramos,
Miguel Ángel Rodríguez,
Peter Lanzani,
Matías Mayer,
Lu Mundstock,
Georgina Barbarrosa,
Marley,
Mariano Chiesa,
Natalia Cociuffo,
Omar Calicchio,
Laura Oliva,
Víctor Laplace, and
Ricky Pashkus. 2017 Season:
Moria Casan, Flor Otero, German Tripel, Angela Torres, Franco Masini, Coco Sily, Melania Lenoir, Matías Mayer, Patricia Lorca, Ana Belen Beas, Pablo Sultani, Jean Pierre Noher, Reina Reech, Graciela Alfano, Victorio D' Alessandro, Karina K, CAE, José María Muscari, Diego Ramos, Deborah Turza, Nicolás Riera, Florencia Benitez, Ana Victoria de Vincentiis.
New Zealand The musical had its New Zealand premiere in 1978, where it went on a national tour. The cast featured controversial rocker
Gary Glitter as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, Jenni Anderson as Janet Weiss, John Collingwood-Smith as Brad Majors, Sal Sharah as Riff-Raff (reprising his role from the original Australian premiere), Sharron Skelton as Magenta/Usherette,
Suburban Reptiles vocalist Clare Elliott (under the stage name "Zero") as Columbia, Paul Johnstone (a former understudy from the original Australian premiere) as Eddie/Dr. Scott, Rayner Bourton as Rocky Horror (later Graham Matters), and Keith Richardson as The Narrator.
Asian productions Japanese productions The first Japan performances of the Rocky Horror Show, presented by Walking Elephants Ltd., was scheduled from 23 June through 9 September 1975 in Tokyo and Osaka, and opened at the Rocky Horror Theatre (more commonly known as the Miyakezaka Hall) in
Akasaka,
Tokyo. Directed for Japan by Christie Dickason with an all-English cast including
Trevor Byfield as Frank-N-Furter,
Christopher Malcolm and
Belinda Sinclair as Brad and Janet, Rayner Bourton as Rocky (reprising their roles from the original London run), and
Peter Bayliss as The Narrator. Other cast members, included: Judith Lloyd (Columbia), Caroline Noh (Magenta/Usherette),
Desmond McNamara (Riff-Raff) and Neil McCaul (Eddie/Dr. Scott). After the Tokyo performance, there were also regional performances. The popularity of the tour led to special single recordings of "Sweet Transvestite" performed by Trevor Byfield and "Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me" by Belinda Sinclair. In 1976 Walking Elephant Co. Ltd. presented an encore tour directed by
David Toguri, which saw the show visit 16 cities in three and a half months. Venues included Tokyo, Osaka,
Kyoto,
Kobe,
Sapporo and
Fukuoka. The tour's cast featured Martin Asscher as Dr. Frank-N-Furter (later Derek Damon), Deirdre Dee as Janet Weiss, Derek Beard as Brad Majors,
John Dicks as Riff-Raff, Tina Jones as Magenta/Usherette, Jeannie Mc'Artur as Columbia, Peter Dawson as Eddie/Dr. Scott,
James Smith as The Narrator, and Rayner Bourton returning as Rocky. The international cast was joined by local stage and screen actor
Hossan Leong as the Narrator whilst two further UK Tour actors joined the company with Kara Lane and Daniela Valvano reprising their roles as Magenta/Usherette and Phantom, respectively. This production was the first uncensored version of
The Rocky Horror Show to be performed in Singapore with the previous 1993 production having been toned down. The film adaptation was banned until 2003.
Seoul In August 2010, a new production based on the 2009–10 UK Tour opened in Seoul, South Korea starring Juan Jackson as Frank-N-Furter and
Kristian Lavercombe as Riff Raff with an international cast. Following the seven-week run the production commenced a limited tour of New Zealand in November 2010, playing at theatres in
Auckland,
Wellington and
Christchurch with Richard O'Brien as the Narrator. UK Tour actors Richard Meek and Haley Flaherty reprised their roles as Brad and Janet for the final week of the New Zealand run, flying out days after the end of the UK production in December 2010. ==Legacy==