Dave Spikey is Manchester’s Rocky Horror narrator

Richard O’Brien’s cult rock ‘n’ roll musical The Rocky Horror Show will return to Manchester, at the Palace Theatre Theatre, from 7 to 12 December 2009.

The show, which was inspired by schlock sci-fi films and follows squeaky-clean sweethearts Brad and Janet on an adventure they’ll never forget, was last seen in at The Lowry two years ago.

Christopher Luscombe’s production, sees the return of David Bedella as Frank ‘N’ Furter who co-starred with former Hear’Say band member Suzanne Shaw (pictured with Bedella) as Janet, along with a host of celebrity narrators.

Comedian Dave Spikey steps into the fishnets as Manchester’s narrator and this will be his only stop on the tour. Spikey came to public attention on the comedy club stand up circuit, forming a friendship with Peter Kay, he was asked to take the role of club singer Jerry St Claire, in Kays now infamous Phoenix Nights. After three successful one man tours, Dave hot foots back to Manchester after the end of his hit tour of The Best Medicine, Repeat Perscription, and dons the dickie bow, dinner Jacket and maybe stockings for the pivitol role of the narrator in The Rocky Horror show, a master of ceremonies and story teller all rolled into one. This will be Daves’ only performances on the tour, so catch him while you can.

Previous guest stars have included Michael Aspel, Christopher Biggins, Russ Abbot and Clive Mantle.

The original Rocky Horror premiered at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs in 1973 and later spawned the 1975 cult film (starring Susan Sarandon, Tim Curry and Meatloaf) as well as countless revivals. The score includes “Sweet Transvestite”, “Damn It Janet” and “Time Warp”. O’Brien joined stars including Anthony Head, Michael Ball, Stephen Gately and Jamie Theakston in the Royal Court’s role-sharing one-off performance on 6 May 2006 (See News, 26 April 2006).

This production is designed by Janet Bird with costumes by Sue Blane, lighting by Nick Richings, choreography by Jenny Arnold, musical direction by Simon Beck and sound by Rick Clarke.