20 THURSDAY, 21 MAY, 1998

Time Warp! Welcome back to Rocky Horror

By Gary David

EVENING STANDARD

THEY CAME to do The Time Warp (Again) and again and, Damn It Janet, it barely seemed as if the last 25 years had ever happened.

In suspender belts, fishnet tights and jet-black nail polish (and that was just the men), long-term fans and the plain curious turned out in force to celebrate the silver anniversary of cult musical The Rocky Horror Show. Since 1973 when creator Richard O'Brien first staged his show, described as "lewd, vulgar and tasteless", at the Royal Court, it has collected an army of supporters.

A quarter-century on, the show's popularity gives no indication of waning, as a sell-out crowd singing happy birthday to Rocky demonstrated at the Richmond Theatre last night.

Former Neighbours star Jason Donovan, in the role of transvestite Frank N Furter, was only five when the show had its premiere.

He said: "It's,a wonderful show and a marvellous part to play. It's one of the few shows where audience participation plays a key role without them it would not have the same meaning."

Former EastEnders actor Michael Cashman, who stars as the musical's narrator, shouted the little-heard phrase "Richmond, are you ready to rock?" to launch the party.
Others will take over as the show tours Britain for the rest of this year - among them Nicholas Parsons, who paid tribute to the fans. "They are absolutely wonderful and so loyal They have made the Rocky Horror Show what it is today and the more it goes on the more the level of support evolves."

The former Sale of the Century host led a group of fans in an impromptu street performance of the Time Warp, one of the musical's best known songs.

"I wore the brightest jacket I could find in my wardrobe. I have only ever worn it on television before and never out in the street but I thought it suited the occasion perfectly," he said.

To mark the 25th birthday Richard O'Brien made a special cameo appearance towards the end of the show. Dame Edna Everage star Barry Humphries said O'Brien had selected the direst components of kitsch culture and made them into an enduring work of art.