Perennial cult favourite Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show returns in 2014 for a whirlwind Australian tour. Producers Howard Panter and John Frost today announced cast members for the tour, which opens in January in Brisbane followed by seasons in Perth during February, Adelaide in March, and Melbourne in April.

The launch coincided with the birthday of Australia’s favourite theatre producer, Mr John Frost.

Joining television and theatre star Craig McLachlan as decadently malevolent Dr Frank N Furter will be a fresh, exciting and talented cast of some of Australia’s best musical theatre performers.

Playing the roles of Janet and Brad, the naïve young couple caught up in a situation they don’t understand, will be musical theatre favourites Christie Whelan Browne (A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Shane Warne The Musical) and Tim Maddren (Hi 5, The Addams Family).

Reprising the role of loyal handyman Riff Raff, which he played in New Zealand and the UK, will be Kristian Lavercombe.  Riff Raff’s sister Magenta will be played by Erika Heynatz, who was nominated for a Helpmann Award for her debut musical theatre role in Legally Blonde.

Columbia, the tap dancing groupie in Frank’s entourage, will be played by Ashlea Pyke (Delta Nu sorority sister Serena in Legally Blonde).

The dual roles of Eddie and Dr Scott will be Nicholas Christo (My Fair Lady).

In his first leading role as Frank’s creation Rocky will be Brendan Irving (An Officer and a Gentleman).

The chorus of Phantoms will be played by Vincent Hooper (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Luigi Lucente (Pippin, Wicked), Meghan O’Shea (A Chorus Line) and Angela Scundi (Spring Awakening), while the Swing/Dance Captain will be James Maxfield (A Chorus Line).

“We are thrilled to have found the perfect cast for the 40^th Anniversary Australian tour of this much loved iconic musical,” said John Frost and Howard Panter. “There is no one who can play the character of Frank N Furter like Craig McLachlan. He oozes that risqué charm that an actor playing Frank needs, as well as bucket loads of sex appeal. And after an extensive audition process we have secured a group of exciting musical theatre talents to complete the cast. We know audiences are going to love doing the Time Warp with this wonderful cast again.”

The Rocky Horror Show is a true classic and one of theatre’s most endearing and outrageously fun shows. It opened at London’s Royal Court Theatre on June 19, 1973, quickly developing a cult following, and was adapted into the 1975 film The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which has the longest-running release in film history. This iconic brand holds a unique place in theatre history, a show that has defied the decades and continued to grow in popularity. In 2010, the music of Rocky Horror was showcased in TV smash hit Glee, seen by over 20 million people world wide.  Rocky Horror even has its own postage stamp.

Millions of people all over the world have seen, and continue to see, productions of The Rocky Horror Show, singing along to classics like “Sweet Transvestite,” “Dammit Janet,” “I Can Make You A Man,” “Touch-a Touch-a Touch Me,” “Over At The Frankenstein Place” and of course “The Time Warp.”

Rocky portrayer Brendan Irving was enticed to give a special preview by taking off his short.

Star and host Craig McLachlan sidled up to Irving in character as Frank N Furter

Next came the pants.

The full Rocky.

Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show plays:

Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane from 8 January 2014;

Crown Theatre, Perth from 14 February 2014

Festival Theatre, Adelaide from 20 March 2014

Comedy Theatre, Melbourne from 24 April 2014

More information is available at The Rocky Horror Show’s official website.

Photos: Simon Parris