Preview: The Rocky Horror Show at Sunderland Empire

Follow North East Theatre Guide on Twitter at https://twitter.com/NETheatreGuide and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NETheatreGuide

“Still the sexiest and funniest show in town” Evening Standard

The Rocky Horror Show

Sunderland Empire

Monday 15^th – Saturday 20^th February 2016

STARRING

DIANA VICKERS (X FACTOR / LITTLE VOICE)

BEN FREEMAN (EMMERDALE)

PAUL CATTERMOLE (S CLUB 7)

LIAM TAMNE (THE VOICE) AS FRANK N FURTER

KRISTIAN LAVERCOMBE (ROCKY HORROR SHOW 40^th ANNIVERSARY TOUR)

Since its first appearance at the Royal Court Theatre in June 1973, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show has become the world’s favourite Rock N’ Roll musical. It has been performed worldwide for over 40 years in over 30 countries and has been translated into more than 20 languages. Director Christopher Luscombe created a stunning new production to celebrate the 40^th Anniversary and this critically acclaimed version of the classic show is back by popular demand, embarking on a year-long national adventure starting at Brighton’s Theatre Royal on 17 December 2015.

X Factor finalist and star of the stage version of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Diana Vickers will star in the role of Janet Weiss. Emmerdale actor, Ben Freeman, will play the role of Brad Majors. S Club 7 star, Paul Cattermole will join Diana and Ben, playing the role of Eddie and Dr. Scott. Liam Tamne, who shot to fame in Series two of The Voice, has now been cast in the iconic role of Frank N Furter. Following his huge success in over 900 performances of the 40^th Anniversary Global Tour of The Rocky Horror Show, Kristian Lavercombe returns as Riff Raff. Further casting to be announced soon.

Paul Cattermole, Ben Freeman, Diana Vickers and Liam Tamne

Diana Vickers (Janet) first came to public attention in 2008 when she was a finalist on The X Factor, before signing a record deal with RCA Records and getting a number one single and album. After her second album, Diana starred in the West End production of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, for which she received excellent reviews from the press and the role won her the Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers’ Choice Awards ‘London Newcomer of the Year’. She then went on to star in the West End production of Duck House alongside Ben Miller and Simon Shepherd.

Paul Cattermole (Eddie / Dr. Scott) has just completed the sold out S Club 7 Bring It All Back 2015 UK Tour with the other members of S Club 7 after they reformed at the start of the year. The group initially shot to fame in 1999 and had four number one singles and a number one album, as well as a series of TV shows including Miami 7, LA 7, Hollywood 7 and Viva S Club. Paul and the rest of S Club 7 also performed at Party At The Palace as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubliee celebrations on 1 June 2002.

Ben Freeman (Brad) is best known for playing the role of Scott Windsor in Emmerdale, but he also starred on stage in the West End productions of Legally Blonde, Dreamcoats and Petticoats and Wicked. He has also starred as The Fonz in the UK touring production of Happy Days.

Liam Tamne (Frank N Furter), trained at Laine Theatre Arts and is no stranger to the West End, having trod the boards as Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera, Link Larkin in Hairspray and Enjolras in Les Miserables. Liam was part of ‘Team Will’ in the second series of The Voice, after he wowed the judges during his blind audition. 

Kristian Lavercombe (Riff Raff) delighted fans when he starred in over 900 performances of The Rocky Horror Show as Riff Raff in The Rocky Horror Show’s 2013 / 2014 40^th Anniversary World Tour in 2013, before continuing in the role as part of the global 40^th Anniversary Tour.

This musical extravaganza features all of its famous musical classics including “Science Fiction/Double Feature”, “Dammit Janet” and of course, the timeless floor-filler, “The Time-Warp”.

The Rocky Horror Show continues to break box office records around the world, currently selling out in Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Japan and Austria. It tells the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two squeaky clean college kids who meet Dr Frank’n’Furter by chance when their car breaks down outside his house whilst on their way to visit their former college professor. It is an adventure they’ll never forget, with fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity, bursting with timeless songs and outrageous outfits. Directed by Christopher Luscombe, The Rocky Horror Show is a guaranteed party, which famously combines science-fiction, horror, comedy and music and encourages audience participation meaning, of course, getting dressed in your most outrageous fancy dress.

Many stars, including Russell Crowe, Tim Curry, Jerry Springer and Meatloaf have appeared in The Rocky Horror Show over the past four decades. Ready to thrill you with fun and naughty moments, O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show is the boldest bash of them all. Be warned, this show has rude parts!

Tickets:

Tickets available in person at Sunderland Empire Box Office, by calling 0844 871 3022* or by booking online at www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland* plus a transaction fee applies.

The Rocky Horror Show 2015 / 2016 UK Tour Dates

17 December – 2 January 2016   Brighton: Theatre Royal                               0844 871 7650

05 – 16 January 2016                       Manchester: Opera House                          0844 871 3018

25 – 30 January 2016                       Birmingham: New Alexandra Theatre       0844 871 3011     

01 – 06 February 2016                     Liverpool: Empire Theatre                           0844 871 3017

08 – 13 February 2016                     Cardiff: New Theatre                                     0292 087 8889

15 – 20 February 2016                     Sunderland: Empire Theatre                       0844 871 3022   

22 – 27 February 2016                     Southampton:  Mayflower Theatre          0238 071 1811

29 February – 5 March 2016         Wimbledon: New Wimbledon Theatre    0844 871 7646

07 – 12 March 2016                          Torquay: Princess Theatre                           0844 871 3023

14 – 19 March 2016                          Bradford: Alhambra Theatre                        0127 443 2000

28 March – 2 April 2016                  Edinburgh: Playhouse Theatre                    0844 871 3014

4 – 9 April 2016                                  Belfast: Grand Opera House                        028 9024 1919   

11 – 16 April 2016                             York: Opera House                                        0844 871 3024

18 – 23 April 2016                             Aylesbury: Waterside Theatre                    0844 871 7607

25 – 30 April 2016                             Nottingham: Theatre Royal                         0115 989 5555

02 – 07 May 2016                              Richmond: Richmond Theatre                    0844 871 7651   

23 – 28 May 2016                              Stoke: Regent Theatre                                  0844 871 7649

27 June - 2 July 2016                       Woking: New Victoria Theatre                    0844 871 7645  

11 – 16 July 2015                               Watford: Watford Colosseum                    01923 571 102

18 – 23 July 2016                               Bristol: Hippodrome                                      0844 871 7652

8 – 13 August 2016                           Glasgow: King’s Theatre                               0844 871 7648