COMUNICATO STAMPA
ROCKY HORROR SHOW
Il legendary rock’n roll musical di Richard O’Brien
al Teatro Olimpico dall’1 al 6 novembre per la stagione dell’Accademia Filarmonica Romana
Rocky Horror Show – Il legendary rock’n roll musical di Richard O’Brien al Teatro Olimpico
Torna in Italia il leggendario rock’n’roll musical di Richard O’Brien. Dopo le tappe di ottobre a Milano e Trieste, arriva a Roma, al Teatro Olimpico dall’1 al 6 novembre per la stagione dell’Accademia Filarmonica Romana in collaborazione con LSD Edizioni, Rocky Horrror Show. Fra gli spettacoli più amati e applauditi di sempre, musical fra i più audaci degli ultimi cinquant’anni, ha sedotto con la sua trasgressività intere generazioni di spettatori, conquistando anche i benpensanti più integerrimi e trasformandoli in devoti fan con corsetto e calze a rete.
La meravigliosa creatura di Richard O’Brein ha viaggiato in più di 30 paesi, è stata tradotta in più di 20 lingue, e ne è stata tratta una versione cinematografica nel ’75 divenuta la pellicola più proiettata della storia del cinema, fra i ruoli principali Tim Curry nei panni di Frank, Susan Sarandon in Janet e lo stesso O’Brien in Riff Raff. Il musicaltorna in Italia con la regia dell’inglese Christopher Luscombe, in una fortunata produzione applaudita già in tutto il mondo. Nel cast inglese troviamo Kristian Lavercombe, attore e cantante che ha preso parte a più di 2000 repliche del musical, “a fantastically talented Riff Raff” come l’ha definito lo stesso O’Brien. Volto noto al pubblico del Rocky Horror è anche Haley Flaherty nel ruolo di Janet, così come gli altri interpreti principali Stephen Webb (Frank), Richard Meek (Brad), Ben Westhead (Rocky), Suzie McAdam (Magenta), Darcy Finden (Columbia). A loro si unisce nel ruolo del Narratore Claudio “Greg” Gregori, artista poliedrico che con stile ironico, a tratti satirico, spazia fra musica, cinema, radio, teatro e tv. Così racconta il suo incontro con il musical di O’Brein: “The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Lo vidi, ventenne, nel lontano 1983. Mi colpì molto per la straripante carica di energia e gioia esplosiva che riusciva a trasmettere. È un musical e quindi ha tutte le leziosità del genere: è eccessivo, didascalico, lineare e sopra le righe, ma è gagliardo davvero (…). Quarant’anni dopo The Rocky Horror Show è ancora di culto e ne ha ben donde. In questa decade così frantumata, ipocrita, rigida e ottusa in cui la trasgressione è scimmiottare in modo trash ciò che fu fatto meglio, quest’Opera aggredisce ancora con entusiasmo i gotici pudori di uno status quo malsano e bigotto. Ancora stupisce per le liriche oltraggiose, per gli ammiccamenti e per le battute caustiche. Ancora scortica la sensibilità dell’uomo medio e gli urla che prima di giudicare qualcosa bisogna viverla”.
La storia del Rocky Horror Show inizia con una piccola produzione teatrale a Londra, scritta da Richard O’Brien per tenersi occupato mentre cercava lavoro come attore. Era il 16 giugno 1973, il luogo un piccolo teatro sperimentale di soli sessanta posti, il Royal Court Theatre Upstairs: “una mostruosa ragnatela di mutanti folli, docili travestiti e mostri muscolosi…” (così venne descritto all’epoca il musical), si stava affacciando dirompente sulla scena teatrale londinese. Previste sei settimane di rappresentazioni, fin dalla prima sera il successo fu tale che ben presto si creò un mercato nero di biglietti; la produzione decise quindi di spostare lo spettacolo al King’s Road Theatre dove continuerà a registrare il tutto esaurito fino al 1974, data poi del debutto americano.
Uno spettacolo che ogni sera si rinnova, grazie alla partecipazione attiva – gli inglesi la chiamano audience partecipation – di tutti quegli appassionati che in teatro si presentano con travestimenti a tema, recitano, cantano e danzano lasciandosi trascinare da quei successi senza tempo di Sweet Transvestite, Damn it Janet e Time Warp. La stessa produzione dello show propone a chiunque lo desideri un manuale intitolato “The Virgins Guide” che è possibile visualizzare a questo indirizzo: https://www.rockyhorror.co.uk/virginsguide
TEATRO OLIMPICO
mart – dom h 20:30 / sab e dom anche alle h 16:30
Biglietti da 34€ a 60€
Prevendite on line su teatroolimpico.it e filarmonicaromana.org
e in botteghino Piazza Gentile da Fabriano 17
Per informazioni
Teatro Olimpico tel. 349 2378200 – biglietti@teatroolimpico.it – www.teatroolimpico.it
Accademia Filarmonica Romana tel. 342 9550100 – promozione@filarmonicaromana.org – filarmonicaromana.org
Accademia Filarmonica Romana, LSD edizioni
presentano
ROCKY HORROR SHOW
produzione Alveare Produzioni
in collaborazione con Trafalgar Theatre
TEATRO OLIMPICO
da martedì 1 a domenica 6 novembre 2022
tutti i giorni ore 20.30, sabato e domenica anche alle ore 16.30
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer Richard O’Brien
Director Christopher Luscombe
Set Designer Hugh Durrant
Costume Designer Sue Blane
Choreographer Nathan M Wright
Lighting Designer Nick Richings
Sound Designer Gareth Owen Musical
Arrangements Richard Hartley
Additional Musical Arrangements Simon Beck
Musical Supervisor/ Greg Arrowsmith
Additional Arrangements
Musical Director/ Charlie Ingles
Additional Arrangements
Wigs & Make Up Supervisor Darren Ware
Associate Choreographer & Andrew Ahern
Assistant Director…….
Dance Captain Stefania Du Toit
Associate Sound Designer Russell Godwin
Dialect Coach Martin McKellan
CAST
In ordine di apparizione
Usherette Suzie McAdam
Janet Haley Flaherty
Brad Richard Meek
Narrator Claudio “Greg” Gregori
Riff Raff Kristian Lavercombe
Magenta Suzie McAdam
Columbia Darcy Finden
Frank N Furter Stephen Webb
Rocky Ben Westhead
Eddie Joe Allen
Dr Scott Joe Allen
Phantoms Reece Budin/Fionán O’Carroll/Jessica Sole
Phantom/Dance Captain Stefania Du Toit
Swing Tyla Nurden/Nathan Shaw
BAND
Musical Supervisor Greg Arrowsmith
MD/Keyboard Charlie Ingles
Drums Allan Cox
Bass Dan Humphreys
Guitar Liam Spencer-Smith
Sax Dave Webb
Orchestral Management Andy Barnwell
UNDERSTUDIES
Frank N Furter Richard Meek/Fionán O’Carroll/Kristian Lavercombe
Brad Reece Budin/Nathan Shaw
Janet Jess Sole/Darcy Finden
Riff Raff. Nathan Shaw/Reece Budin
Magenta/Usherette Jessica Sole/Tyla Nurden
Columbia Stefania Du Toit/Tyla Nurden
Rocky. Fionán O’Carroll/Reece Budin
Eddie/Dr Scott Nathan Shaw/Fionán O’Carroll
Narrator Reece Budin
PRODUCTION TEAM
Company Manage Mike Mansfield
Technical Stage Manager Simon Holmes
Deputy Stage Manager Rebecca Spiller
ASM/Book cover Beth Manicom
Technical ASM Amber Waller
Head of Wardrobe Rachael Gaunt
Wardrobe Deputy Tom Darlington
Head of Wigs Helen Russell
Wigs Deputy Holly Hamilton
Sound No 1 Harry Regan
Sound No 2 Callum Lucas
LX 1 James Cusker
LX 2 Abbi Clarke
Tech swing Charlie Bennett
FOR ROCKY HORROR
Executive Producer Meryl Faiers
Producer Daniel Brodie
General Manager Jeffrey Brady
Production Managers Simon Gooding & Matt Jones
for SGPM Ltd
Production Assistant Alice Lloyd-Davies
RICHARD O’BRIEN WRITER
Richard, who was born in 1942, began his life in the world of entertainment in 1965 when, at the age of 23, he rode horses in British-made movies. He had no desire to become a full-time stuntman and, wisely, took himself off to an evening drama school, which claimed to adhere to the teaching principles of Stanislavski, Lee Strasberg, Stella Adler and anyone else that had decided to embrace the more ‘naturalistic’ approach to acting, commonly known as the Method.
In 1967, Richard became an ASM and understudy in a musical touring version of The Barretts of Wimpole Street, retitled as Robert and Elizabeth. He worked backstage in many West End theatres, most notably the Cambridge Theatre at Seven Dials, where, among other duties, he shone a limelight upon John Hanson who, at the age of 46, may well have been the oldest Student Prince that the world had ever laid eyes upon.
In 1969, Richard joined an ensemble group in a joyous production of Gulliver’s Travels at the Mermaid Theatre. This show was designed and directed by Sean Kenny. The choreographer was a young Japanese Canadian called David Toguri and, the following year, Richard auditioned for him once again and joined the cast of the British touring production of the American ‘hippie’ musical Hair. After Hair came Jesus Christ
Superstar, which was directed by Jim Sharman. The following year, 1973, Jim cast Richard in a Sam Shepard play at the Royal Court Theatre’s Theatre Upstairs. It was here that he met Richard Hartley, his music partner of 40 years. The Rocky Horror Show opened in July of the same year and, slowly but surely, became the biggest cult musical of all time.
Other highlights of Richard’s career are, of course, The Crystal Maze, a game show that warmed the autumn nights for Channel 4; the Child Catcher in the first stage production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang; performing for the Queen in the gardens of Buckingham Palace upon Her Majesty’s 80th birthday, and playing Fagin in a New Zealand production of Oliver!.
In a career that has spanned nearly 50 years, Richard has acted with some of the biggest and best-known names in the industry and, lately, he has won over a new and younger crowd of fans as the voice of Lawrence Fletcher, the father of Phineas and Ferb, in the Disney cartoon series of the same name. He is 80 years of age and refuses to make eye contact with the Grim Reaper.
CHRISTOPHER LUSCOMBE DIRECTOR
Christopher Luscombe read English at Cambridge. He started his career as an actor, spending seven years with the Royal Shakespeare Company. During this time he directed The Shakespeare Revue, which transferred to the Vaudeville Theatre in London. His subsequent productions at Stratford include Love’s Labour’s Lost and Much Ado About Nothing, both of which transferred to the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. His recent production of Twelfth Night was relayed live to cinemas earlier this year. He is an Associate Artist of the RSC.
His directing credits in London include Star Quality and The Madness of George III (Apollo); Home and Beauty (Lyric); Fascinating Aïda (Harold Pinter – Olivier Award nomination for Best Entertainment); The Comedy of Errors and The Merry Wives of Windsor (Shakespeare’s Globe); Nell Gwynn (Shakespeare’s Globe and Apollo – Olivier Award for Best New Comedy); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Regent’s Park); Enjoy (Gielgud); Alphabetical Order (Hampstead); When We Are Married (Garrick – Olivier Award nomination for Best Revival); Travels With My Aunt (Menier Chocolate Factory) and Spamalot (Playhouse).
Other directing credits include Masterpieces (Birmingham Rep); Little Shop of Horrors and The History Boys (West Yorkshire Playhouse); Things We Do for Love (Harrogate); Candida (Oxford Stage Company); The Likes of Us (Sydmonton); Arms and the Man (Salisbury); A Small Family Business (Watford); Hobson’s Choice (Sheffield); Hay Fever (Minneapolis); Henry V and Nell Gwynn (Chicago); While The Sun Shines (Bath); Candide (Grange Festival) and tours of The Importance of Being Earnest, Tell Me on a Sunday, The Lady in the Van, Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime, Single Spies, Dandy Dick, Blue/Orange and The Nightingales.
His production of The Rocky Horror Show has toured for the last thirteen years. It has completed three seasons in the West End, three Australian tours and also been broadcast in cinemas worldwide. In 2019 he will be directing The Winter’s Tale in Cincinnati and Verdi’s Falstaff at the Grange Festival.
STEPHEN WEBB FRANK
Training: Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts.
Theatre includes: Charles Clarke in Titanic (National Tour), Jacob Rothschild in Rothschild & Sons (Park Theatre), Jack/White Knight in Wonderland (National Tour), Tommy DeVito in Jersey Boys (National Tour), Hal and understudy Warden and Anderson in From Here To Eternity (Shaftesbury Theatre), Pepe in Carnival of the Animals (Riverside Studios), The Boss in Hot Stuff (Curve, Leicester), Charles in Piaf (Curve, Leicester), Jerome K. Jerome in Finding Neverland (Curve, Leicester) directed by Rob Ashford, Phebus in Notre Dame de Paris (Asian Tour), Lowell in Legally Blonde (Savoy Theatre), Laertes and Guildenstern in Hamlet – The Musical (Pleasance Theatre, Edinburgh), The Pharaoh in Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (National Tour), Ren in Footloose (National Tour), Glen Guglia in The Wedding Singer (National Tour), Ivey/Luther Rosser in Parade (Donmar Warehouse) directed by Rob Ashford, Benny Southstreet/Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls (National Tour), Hortensio and understudy Bill in Kiss Me Kate (National Tour), Double J/Bobby C and understudy Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever (National Tour), Carousel (Perth Theatre) and Tony in West Side Story (Avondale Theatre).
Workshops include: The Witches (NT Studio) directed by Lyndsey Turner, Passport to Pimlico, From Here To Eternity and X (Mercury Musical Developments).
Concerts include: Katherine Jenkins’ 2010 Arena Tour.
Television and Film credits include: London Road (National Theatre/Cuba Pictures) directed by Rufus Norris, The Bill, EastEnders and Kevin and Perry Go Large.
HALEY FLAHERTY JANET
Theatre Credits Include: Mollie Ralston in The Mousetrap (West End); Tooley in Travels With My Aunt (Chichester Festival Theatre); Miss Honey in Matilda (West End and International tour); Meg Giry in Love Never Dies (West End); Janet in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (West End and UK Tour); Sophie in Mamma Mia (International Tour); Roxie Hart in Chicago (UK Tour); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Open Air Regent’s Park); Young Phillis in Follies (Royal and Derngate); Fay in The Boyfriend (Open Air Regent’s Park); The Taming Of The Shrew (Open Air Regent’s Park); Thoroughly Modern Milllie (West End); Sandy in Grease (UK Tour); Connie in Saturday Night Fever (West End); Marty in Grease (UK Tour).
Film Credits Include: Chaplin (Passion Pictures); Rocky Horror Picture Show (BBC America).
Workshops include: Fiona in Being Woody Allen, Stella in Local Hero.
Haley trained at The Royal Ballet School, The Dance School of Scotland and Laine Theatre Arts.
RICHARD MEEK BRAD
Theatre includes: Corny Collins in Hairspray (UK Tour); Rooster in Annie (UK Tour); Trevor Graydon in Thoroughly Modern Milly (UK Tour); Leo Bloom in The Producers (International Tour); Brad Majors in The Rocky Horror Show (UK Tour); Sir Galahad in Monty Python’s Spamalot (UK Tour); Eddie/ Dr Scott in the 40th Anniversary West End production of The Rocky Horror Show; Dustin/ Greaseball Starlight Express 25th Anniversary Cast (Bochum, Germany); Richard Owen in Giants in the Earth (UK Tour); I Love you, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Drama Centre Singapore); NewsRevue (Canal Cafe Theatre); David in Austentatious (Landor Theatre); Blood Wedding and Petite Rouge (The Scoop); alternate Jesus in Godspell (UK Tour); Brad Majors in The Rocky Horror Show (UK, Singapore and New Zealand tours); Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK Tour) and Mikado in Hot Mikado (Gatehouse Theatre).
Workshops include: Mr. Green in Clue – The Musical (Turbine Theatre); Joe in Sugar – Some Like It Hot (Covent Garden Productions):Jason Turner in Footballers Wives (Theatre Royal Stratford) and Richard Owen in Giants in the Earth (Oxfordshire Theatre Company).
Television: Sound of Musicals with Neil Brand (BBC)
BEN WESTHEAD ROCKY
Ben graduated from the Guildford School of Acting in 2020.
Theatre/film includes: Ensemble in Jack and The Beanstalk (Panto Online), Prince Manky Poo and understudy Aladdin/PC Pong in Aladdin (The Anvil, Basingstoke), King in Oliver! (UK and Ireland Tour), Kurt in The Sound of Music (UK Tour).
Credits whilst training include: Fred in A Christmas Carol, Cord Elam in Oklahoma!.
Ben is also a qualified personal trainer and enjoys teaching musical theatre. He is thrilled to be joining the company in his first professional UK Tour as an adult.
SUZIE MCADAM MAGENTA
Suzie studied Musical Theatre at the Dance School of Scotland then on to Guildford School of Acting, where she graduated with a 1st class BA Hons Degree and was awarded the prestigious GSA cup for Musical Theatre.
Theatre credits include: Shona in Local Hero (Old Vic), Ensemble/ Understudy Rosalie Mullins in School of Rock (West End), Swing/ Understudy Lauren & Nicola in Kinky Boots the Musical (West End), Shona/Swing in Local Hero (The Lyceum, Edinburgh); Enid/ Understudy Vivienne in Legally Blonde the Musical (West End, Original London Cast); Tribe/Understudy Shelia in Hair (UK Tour); Ensemble in My Fair Lady (Royal Albert Hall, BBC Proms); Maisie/ Understudy Myrna in Miss Atomic Bomb (The Other Palace); Tinkerbell in Peter Pan (Beck Theatre); Phantom/Understudy Janet, Magenta and Columbia in The Rocky Horror Show(European Tour).
Workshop credits include: Cannibal Women of Mars (National Theatre of Scotland); Paradise Lost: Shadows and Wings Workshop (The National Theatre, directed by Rupert Goold); Jason Robert Brown Master class (Soloist); Gavin Creel Master class (Soloist); Vanara the Musical Workshop and cast Recording (Marc McBride).
KRISTIAN LAVERCOMBE RIFF RAFF
Kristian has notched up over thirteen hundred performances of The Rocky Horror Show. Most notably for the UK’s 40th Anniversary Tour, the New Zealand and Asian Tours, and also the recent Australian Tours.
Aside from Rocky Horror, Kristian has had leading roles in over 30 professional productions. Highlights include: Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar (Auckland Theatre Company), Bobby Strong in Urinetown (Downstage Theatre), Leaf Coneybear in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Auckland Theatre Company), Dodger in Oliver! (The Court Theatre), Puck in Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Christchurch Arts Festival) and The Dark Lady in the New Zealand tour of This Holy Fire of Love (New Zealand Symphony Orchestra).
Other shows include: Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Lady Windermere’s Fan, Amy’s View, The Cripple of Inishmaan, The Complete Works of Shakespeare – Abridged, Skylight, Antony and Cleopatra, Alice, Caesar and Cleopatra, Mother Courage, The Queen and I (Court Theatre), My First Time (Fortune Theatre), Rent (Auckland Musical Theatre), The Wizard Of Oz (Peach Theatre) Hushabye Mountain (Auckland International Comedy Festival), Amadeus (Theatre Alive), The Fantasticks (CAN Professional Theatre), Sinbad (The Actors Company) and Tarquin in the TV series Dark Knight (Palana Productions).
DARCY FINDEN COLUMBIA
Darcy graduated from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in 2020.
Credits whilst training include: Dance Captain in Betty Blue Eyes; Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls; Trish in Bonnie & Clyde; Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady; Cristabelle in Angry Birds (The Other Palace).
The Rocky Horror Show marks Darcy’s professional debut.
JOE ALLEN EDDIE/DR SCOTT/PHANTOM
Theatre credits include: Crispin in The Mystery of Raddlesham Mumps with Murray Lachlan Young (Wilton’s Music Hall/National Tour), Ensemble / U/S Mr Mushnik in Little Shop Of Horrors (Regents Park Open Air), Stephano in The Rover (RSC Stratford), Jimmy in The Seven Acts of Mercy (RSC), Mars in The 2 Noble Kinsmen (RSC), Mr Gloop / Oompa Loompa / U/S Augustus in Charlie & The Chocolate Factory (World Premiere – Theatre Royal, Drury Lane).
Film credits include: Thing 1 in Dr Seuss’ The Grinch Live (NBC), Greek Fisherman in Mamma Mia: Here I Go Again, Pete in Blood Means Nothing.
Commercials include: The Funny One in Girl With The Perfect Smile – Macleans; Pizza Boy in Rugby World Cup, Pukey for Talk to Frank, Morrisons.
Cast recordings include: Mamma Mia: Here I Go Again (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (World Premiere Recording).
CLAUDIO “GREG” GREGORI NARRATOR
Artista poliedrico, raggiunge la celebrità con Latte & i suoi derivati, band di musica comica e surreale fondata nel 1991 assieme a Lillo. Contemporaneamente partecipa ad altre formazioni musicali, tra le quali i Blues Willies (già Jolly Rockers), Greg & The Rockin’ Revenge, Il Duo Italia, Greg & The Frigidaires, The Five Freshmen. Compone musiche per programmi televisivi, musical, commedie e, con Attilio Di Giovanni, le colonne sonore di alcuni film di De Laurentiis. Attivo dal 1985 anche come fumettista e illustratore, ha collaborato con il settimanale satirico Veleno e con il Corriere della Sera. Tra le apparizioni televisive si segnalano quelle per Le Iene e per Telenauta ’69, programma-omaggio alla televisione garbata e raffinata degli anni ’60. Al cinema è il protagonista maschile del film di Marco Risi Tre mogli (2000) e il co-protagonista assieme a Lillo di Blek Giek (1999) di Enrico Caria e di numerose altre pellicole. Nel 2021 pubblica Il Mio Nome è Sorciosecco (auto)biografia di un Pupazzo Criminale.
