A quick word with Richard O'Brien, creator of the Rocky Horror Show. He also played Riff Raff back in the day, and the character has become a perennial favourite at dress-up and Halloween parties.
Have you seen Glee's Rocky Horror episode that is airing while your show is on in Auckland?
No, not yet. I am very intrigued.
Are you a fan of Glee - a Gleek?
I have not followed the show too closely but I am aware of how successful it has become.
What do you think the programme has done for modern musical theatre?
Introduced new audiences to new experiences.
Have you moved back to New Zealand yet?
No, not yet, I have been granted the first stage of residency so far.
How special are the New Zealand string of concerts to you?
Very special as I will be able to interact with many of the people who have given me so much support in my cry for citizenship.
Why are we doing this Time Warp again?
Why not? It still continues to make us laugh and tap our feet.
Is it still risque for today's audiences?
It never really was, it only appeared to be that way. It was and remains a lovely juvenile distraction.
How has it changed since you wrote it?
It hasn't. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Best bit about this particular show?
It's come home and I shall be there with it.
Who is acting in this show - are they all British?
This show was cast internationally and comes to Auckland via Korea. The director of our British touring cast has had overall control of the shape and form of it and between his other duties of taking The Merry Wives Of Windsor to LA and NYC he will be in Auckland to rehearse me in.
Is Riff Raff your favourite character?
I love them all.
Do you sometimes feel like being Riff Raff for the day?
What? Bad tempered, resentful, mean-spirited, jealous and paranoid? I can do that.
How do you feel watching other people play Riff Raff all these years on?
Fine.
Our Prime Minister John Key apparently used to attend the late night dress-up screenings. Should we bring these back to give the young Riff Raff something to do on Saturday nights?
No, we all move on.
How did they select the other narrators such as Christopher Biggins who does a few nights of the British leg of the tour?
Popularity, wit, intelligence and so on.
For those who have never seen a Rocky Horror show, what should you not do as a member of the audience? Is it compulsory to dress up?
No. It's not obligatory to dress up. The only thing that I insist upon is that the audience leaves the theatre feeling better than when they went in. And, that's our job.
Will the audience be expected to know the moves?
No. It's a night out, not an obstacle course.
A lot of people will have only seen the film. What doesn't translate to the stage production?
The boom shadows.
How is the statue of you in Hamilton looking?
As far as I know it still looks as beautiful as it did when first unveiled. Weta Workshops made a stunning casting.
*The Rocky Horror Show opens at The Civic on November 9
