The 50th Anniversary production of legendary Rock ‘N’ Roll musical The Rocky Horror Show has added Canberra to its national tour.
Playing at the Canberra Theatre Centre for a limited season from 29 September 2023, The Rocky Horror Show has been playing to sell out audiences at Theatre Royal Sydney, and will play seasons in Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth.
Leading the cast as Frank N Furter is three-time Olivier Award winning performer, David Bedella who returns to Australia for the first time since recreating his starring role in the critically acclaimed Jerry Springer: The Opera at Sydney Opera House in 2009. Australian audiences may remember him as the lead in Oh, What A Night! where he performed alongside Marcia Hines and Gary Sweet.
David comes to Canberra with an impressive resume from both Broadway and London’s West End having performed roles in Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Jerry Springer the Opera, The Rocky Horror Show, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, The Producers, Chicago, In the Heights and most recently & Juliet. He can also be seen playing the President of the United States in Amazon Prime’s third season of Jack Ryan.
The stellar case includes Stellar Perry as Magenta, Ellis Dolan as Eddie/Dr Scott, Darcey Eagle as Columbia, Ethan Jones as Brad, Deirdre Khoo as Janet, Loredo Malcolm as Rocky and Henry Rollo as Riff Raff. Starring alongside them on stage as The Phantoms will be Josh Gates, Catty Hamilton, Jackson Reedman and Erica Wild. Keane Fletcher and Kristina McNamara round out the cast as the Swings.
“I am thrilled to be returning to Australia after so many years and to return to a show that is forever linked to my heart!” said David Bedella. “This 50th Anniversary production promises to be the best yet and I’m gonna do my part to see that it is!
“I hope everyone will come along to help us celebrate a show that has undeniably become the greatest cult sensation musical theatre has ever seen and has meant so much to so many for 50 years!”
The Rocky Horror Show tells the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two squeaky clean college kids who meet Dr Frank N Furter an extra-terrestrial mad scientist from the galaxy of Transylvania where people really like to party!
It’s an adventure they’ll never forget, with fun, frolics, frocks and frivolity, bursting with timeless songs and outrageous outfits. Featuring one of the most famous musical numbers of all time the party floor-filler, The Time-Warp, which remains a key to its continued success over the past 50 years.
The 50th Anniversary Rocky Horror Show creative team includes Director Christopher Luscombe, Set Designer Hugh Durrant, Costume Designer Sue Blane, Choreographer Nathan M Wright, Lighting Designer Nick Richings, and Music Richard Hartley (original musical arrangements).
The Rocky Horror Show is the boldest party bash of them all, ready to thrill fans and audiences alike with cheeky fun and nostalgia. Whether it’s your first time seeing the show or the twenty first time, or whether you dress up or not The Rocky Horror Show delivers in its promise of a guaranteed party.
The Rocky Horror Show will play the Canberra Theatre Centre for a limited season from 29 September 2023. The iconic musical continues its season at the Theatre Royal, Sydney until 2 April, before playing the Adelaide Festival Centre from 13 April, and the Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne, from 18 May 2023. For more information, visit: www.rockyhorror.com.au for details.
Image: David Bedella as Frank N Furter – photo by A Shared Madness