The Rocky Horror Show | The World’s Most Iconic Rock & Roll Musical

• Words Liane Morris

Newcastle is about to give itself over to ‘absolute pleasure’ with the world’s most iconic rock and roll musical of all time, The Rocky Horror Show, due to take us all ‘on a strange journey’ as it screams into town in a flurry of sequins, corsets, fishnets and suspenders.

Starring 80s pop icon Jason Donovan as Dr Frank N Furter and Australia’s favourite broadcaster and music specialist Myf Warhurst as the Narrator, we caught up with both of them to discover more about what it’s like to work on such a phenomenally popular musical.

After triumphant seasons in 2023, and due to extraordinary demand, the 50th Anniversary world tour of The Rocky Horror Show will continue its global celebrations in 2024. And in a major coup for the City of Newcastle, it will open this new season right here at the Civic Theatre on 12 January and run until 4 February before moving on to Melbourne’s Atheneum Theatre from 9 February and Theatre Royal in Sydney from 31 March.

For those of us over a certain age, Jason Donovan was a household name in Australia in the 1980s. Born in Victoria in 1968, his father, Terence Donovan, was a well-known television and stage actor. Jason rocketed to fame in TV soap Neighbours, co-starring with Kylie Minogue and dating her off-screen. By the late 80s, he was a pop star with multiple chart toppers and awards, and he moved to the UK to take advantage of the opportunities there. He has continued to sing and act throughout his career and now has a much higher profile in the UK than in Australia. It was during the 1990s that he began performing in musical theatre, accepting a role as Joseph in the Andrew Lloyd Webber production of Joseph and his Amazing

Technicolour Dreamcoat for which he received an Olivier Award in 1991 and which he credits for changing his life.

“Joseph changed my life, it will always have a place in my heart,” said Donovan.

“Still, to this day, when I perform my music and do big 80s festivals with artists like Human League, New Order, Joy Division and Go West, I can still sing ‘Any Dream Will Do’, and the crowd goes nuts. Not so much here in Australia, but certainly in the UK.”

In 2019, Donovan returned to Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, but this time, surprisingly, in the Pharoah role rather than Joseph.

“I’ve got to be honest with you here. When I sang the part of Joseph through, I could have pulled it off, but the big thing is that it requires the stamina of a younger voice. Not that I don’t have that; it’s just I had a few vocal issues a while back. You have to be very airy and Lloyd Webber-esque, and when I was 20, that was fine. I think now, it was the right decision to accept the Pharoah. It’s perfect, a smart move, and it worked. It doesn’t ruin history, if you know what I mean!”

It was 1998 when Donovan first portrayed Dr Frank N Furter in the 25th Anniversary production of The Rocky Horror Show. It was on this production that he met his wife-to-be, and it quickly stole another piece of his heart.

“Playing Frank N Furter in Rocky was always for me, the rock and roll star I never was,” said Donovan.

“I was a pop star, a cultural entity or icon, I guess, especially with Neighbours and particularly in the UK. I always wanted to be the lead singer in a rock and roll band. Rocky was my opportunity to be that at a time when I was a bit messy myself and, I guess, living a bit of a rock and roll lifestyle. Now I come back to it with another 25 years’ experience, having moved on from that person but still wanting to be the lead singer of the band. I now understand the text more, and there’s more maturity and gravity in my voice. I like the show because I have never been a pure musical theatre-style singer. I can sing your classic theatre songs, but that’s not me. I’m more Frank N Furter than Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, more Sweeney Todd than I am Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Each has its place, and this is the right time for me to return to that role.

“I become a different character when I put on those high heels. It brings out the extravert in me and sits within me a lot more than many other roles. You sing it like a rock star, a bit rough around the edges. Essentially, it’s an actor’s piece with music which suits me. I think I bring the extraverted transgender aspect to it as well as the sympathetic. Frank is a pretty horrible character, but he just wants to live his dreams and gets caught up in his own madness. Sometimes he can’t see the light, but he does have a heart, and I try to bring that aspect to it, too.

“Essentially, it’s about a dreamer who tries to live out his fantasy and live authentically. A lot of us are misfits, and I think it appeals to those people a lot. It was born out of the 70s with its art, and the creative team have managed to capture that in a kind of Warhol-esque style with an Australian, dark, quirky English manor house vibe. It has a real design about it that complements a very simplistic music score, and it tells the truth and appeals to an audience in musical theatre that doesn’t always want Lloyd Webber. It’s more accessible. The Time Warp is timeless, with a core message that is still the same. It’s an old show that’s aged well, and it still attracts young people in the audience.”

Donovan is philosophical about ageing and hard work when it comes to stamina.

“There aren’t a lot of good things about ageing, but I guess respect and experience are part of it. I feel a little calmer and more controlled in my life. I can delegate now. I am getting to a stage now where I’m enjoying the fruits of my hard work. It’s not always easy, but I believe you create your own luck in life. Timing is everything, and I love what I do. I’ve got my health, and that’s a good thing.

“When it comes to stamina, I work hard at it. I do a lot of swimming, steaming for my voice, stretching—every day. The problem as you get older is that it’s harder to be normal, let alone to aspire to some sort of utopia of mental or physical health. Physical and mental health go hand in hand, and I work on it every single day. It’s a legacy from my father and the Australian in me that believes exercise is important to longevity and balance in life.”

Part of that life balance is his pride in his children and one reason he is looking forward to returning to Australia.

“I am most proud of my children. My son graduated recently and lives in Sydney, so I’m excited to see him. My daughter Jemma has been acting, and as long as she’s passionate about it and respects others, I’m supportive of that. I’ve educated my kids to make their choices in life, and hopefully, they make the right choices. If they don’t, I’ll be there for them.

“One of the great things about this show is that I’ve already done it. I don’t need to worry about it. I don’t need to prove myself. This is a victory lap if you like, and it’s a nice feeling. I can’t wait to get back to Sydney to rehearse.

“I’ve heard fabulous things about Newcastle from our producer. He has a keen interest in the city, so I’m excited to come and have a look around. I’ve heard about the beaches, the food and the wine. And I’ll be coming from the UK in winter so it’s really something to look forward to. I have genuinely heard that Newcastle is a city on the way up with lots of creative people. It’s also close to Sydney, so it’s not hard for me to get back there when I want to.”

Myf Warhurst is also looking forward to reconnecting with the city of Newcastle during her stay here as she performs in The Rocky Horror Show as the Narrator.

“I had an ex-partner who came from Newcastle, so I used to spend a little time there,” said Warhurst.

“And our Spicks and Specks Live Show always had a huge response in Newcastle. I’ve always felt very welcomed there. It’s a gorgeous place with beautiful beaches and great vibes.”

The role of Narrator was originally played by the creator of The Rocky Horror Show, Richard O’Brien and in Australia, has been portrayed in other productions by celebrities Bert Newton, Gretel Killeen, Derryn Hinch, Kamahl and Red Symons. Warhurst may seem an unexpected choice for the role, but her list of talents is long and now includes musical theatre.

Warhurst was born in Victoria in 1973 and was raised in the country, where she developed a love of music, studying classical piano at university before finding her niche in radio on Triple J. She is probably best known for Spicks and Specks and, in more recent years, as one of Australia’s Eurovision commentators. She is co-host of a weekly arts and culture podcast Bang On with Zan Rowe, writes for the Guardian, is an ambassador for Animal Aid and Wildlife Victoria, recently published her autobiography Time of My Life and is the voice behind Aunt Trixie in kids’ show Bluey. She is proud to be 50 years of age, recognising that it’s a privilege denied to many and feels like she is currently living “peak Myf”, making the most of life.

“Performing in Rocky doesn’t seem like work to me,” said Warhurst.

“If you do what you enjoy doing, that’s the secret to life. I’ve never done theatre before, I don’t pretend to be an expert, and I have no training in singing or dancing, but somehow Rocky is a safe place to be. It’s awesome, bonkers and fun.”

Warhurst was, of course, a major Jason Donovan fan when she was growing up.

“I grew up in the country in the 80s, and I knew all the words to every song Jason did. What else is there to do? I’ve gotten to know him now, and he is such fun, so generous and supportive. We have a great time, and somehow, it feels like I’ve come full circle, right back to my teen idol. Australians aren’t aware of how successful and popular he is in the UK –he’s an icon. And he’s unbelievable in this role. He was made for it.”

Like Donovan, the theme of the show resonates deeply with Warhurst.

“Don’t Dream It, Be It – says it all, really. Embrace who you are – it’s a beautiful message that was radical for its time but still important today. It’s a crazy comedy, drama, rock and roll musical full of dreams and nightmares, and I get to be part of the team that creates it night after night to entertain people and make them happy. It gives people a reprieve from everyday life, which, let’s face it, can be a blessing at the moment. It’s totally bonkers!”

The Rocky Horror Show is selling fast and plays at the Civic Theatre from 12 January until 4 February, with a run time of 120 minutes. Recommended for ages 15+, tickets are on sale now at www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au