Theatre and Dance Previews

The Rocky Horror Show is probably the biggest and baddest rock 'n' roll musical ever. Richard O'Brien's cult classic follows squeaky-clean sweethearts Brad and Janet on an adventure they'll never forget, with the scandalous Frank N Furter, rippling Rocky and vivacious Magenta.

Bursting at the seams with timeless classics, including 'Sweet Transvestite', 'Damn It Janet' and, of course, the pelvic-thrusting 'Time Warp', this is the boldest bash of them all.

So fish out the fishnets, buff up your basque and sharpen those stilettos for the rockiest ride of your life!

The current touring production stars Hayley Tamaddon as Janet. Best-known as Delilah Dingle in the ITV soap 'Emmerdale', she comes fresh from her success in 'Soap Star Superstar' where she came second to 'Coronation Street' star Anthony Cotton.

She is joined by the legendary Christopher Biggins as The Narrator and the award-winning David Bedella as sweet transvestite Frank’n’Furter!

David Bedella won the 2004 Olivier Award for Best Actor for his performance as Satan/Warm Up Man in Jerry Springer - The Opera and will also be recognised for playing plastic surgeon Carlos Fashola in Holby City.

I spoke to David after his performance at the Milton Keynes Theatre a few months ago.

What's it like being in a show with so much audience interaction?

David: Oh gosh - well like anything it's got its ups and downs. It can be really exhilarating when you walk through the door to make Frank N Furter's first entrance and they just go crazy like they're at a rock concert - those are the moments when you appreciate it. But unfortunately I think through the years it's become such a panto that some people think that they have the right to keep screaming at you, no matter what you're doing up there, and that can be very difficult.

We took great pains to alter this production so that people could be brought back to the theatrical experience and less of a panto experience and the buzz that we're getting is that people love it. It's the first opportunity to see it as a drama and people are really quite moved by the end of it, which is great fun for us.

Are you ever completely foiled by people shouting things out?

David: Umm - no! We're pretty much OK - we've heard all of it I think, there's very few surprises left !

You look amazing - does it take you a long time to get ready?!

David: It used to!! But when you've been a drag queen for five months solid, you learn how to throw the lashes on really fast! I can throw it together really quickly now!

What about the heels?!

David: It's not so bad honestly! because I'm only 5'8" I've been a short dancer my whole life, competing with much taller dancers, so I've always danced in heels! They haven't been quite this girly in the past but I'm pretty used to them!

You're quite exposed up there! Do you find that doing the show keeps you in shape or do you take extra measures?!

David: What keeps me fit is the corset! When I first started the show back in February, I was at the gym every single day. I was doing sit-ups and running and making sure that my tummy was flat and then I realised that there's this corset, and once they zip it up, everything gets sucked into place and I can go and eat a big fat bowl of pasta! It's the magic of costuming!

You've been in Jerry Springer, another 'cult' musical. What do you think it is that turns a musical into such a cult event?

David: I think first and foremost intelligence. When there's a level of intelligence that the audience can relate to, they just fall in love with the experience. Also, both these musicals have stunning music. When you look at 'Jerry Springer - The Opera' just from a musical stand point it is brilliant! It covers so many different genres of music in one evening, and this (Rocky) is just plain good old fashioned rock and roll! You combine that with an intelligent book and you've got a good time I think.

I was watching tonight with Rocky virgins who really enjoyed it! What would you say to people who hadn't seen it before to try and get them to come along?

David: I would say to not go by what you've heard in the past because I think this is an all new production. I think a lot of people hear stories about the dressing up and the shouting and all of the stuff that's thrown in the audience and they think it's too full on for me. This is quite a different production so you're in for a new experience. Don't be afraid - if it's your first time - come on down!