ROCKY

Rip It Up, Issue 14, 1 August 1978, Page 18

ROCKY

The Rocky Horror Show - written by New Zealander Richard O’Brien (take a bow, Hamilton) and now to be performed on New Zealand stages with a line-up which, with the exception of the inimitable Gary Glitter and a couple of other players is entirely NZ based. Fair makes you proud, don’t it? The Rocky Horror Show was written about seven years ago in London by O’Brien and the show reflects its times. With the main character, Frank-N-Furter, based on Gary Glitter and David Bowie the show puts a rock’n'roll musical together with many of the elements associated with the glitter-rock phenomenon: bisexuality, garters, corsets and, least likely of all, science fiction. Whatever its origins, the show proved an immediate success and is still running six years later in London. Productions have also been staged in New York, Paris, LA and Australia. It also led to a film version, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The Rocky Horror Show is the first professional rock musical to be staged in NZ since Jesus Christ, Superstar in 1975. The cast of eleven (which includes Zero from The Suburban Reptiles), supplemented by a fivepiece band (which includes the talents of ex-Redeye member Dennis Mason), are working under the musical supervision of Wellington composer/musician Dave Fraser. All this and Gary Glitter too. The Rocky Horror Show starts its tour in Wellington on July 28 and proceeds through Palmerston North, Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Napier and Dunedin before closing in Christchurch on the 23rd of September.

Versatile Drummer wanted for band. Interest in jazz, soul, country an advantage. Ph. Bryce-or'Frank at 600-643 '-3*3®