Rocky Horror deeper than fishnets
Nearly 18 years since it last time-warped into WA, The Rocky Horror Show returned to Perth last night in a flurry of fishnets, feather boas and stiletto heels.
Celebrating the 40th anniversary of Richard O'Brien's cult musical, the production stars TV veteran Craig McLachlan as "sweet transvestite" Frank-N-Furter in a role he first played in the early 1990s to break free from his past on the soap Neighbours.
Returning to the part at 48, McLachlan said he had to lose about 25kg to get back into his character's skimpy costume.
"It's been 22 or 21 years since I last slipped on the fishnets and the high heels but I am not looking bad for an old boy," he said.
McLachlan said he also had a greater understanding of the show's themes of individualism and liberation thanks to his experience in showbiz.
"I get the cleverness of it," he said. "I recognise elements of the show that I just didn't see as a kid at 20-something."
The show also features WA Academy of Performing Arts graduates, including former Hi-5 member Tim Maddren as Brad and Nicholas Christo as rocker Eddie and his uncle Dr Scott.
After a sold-out run in Brisbane, it has a three-week season at Crown Perth Theatre before moving to other capitals.
