Theatre preview: The Rocky Horror Show, Leeds Grand

When he received the call asking if he wanted to take on the iconic role of The Narrator in The Rocky Horror Show, Charlie Condou was confused.

“I’m about 30 years too young for a start,” he says.

“It’s a role usually played by comedians of a certain age. Norman Pace and Steve Punt have been playing it on tour and I’m younger than them, so I don’t really know why they asked me. Maybe they made a mistake?”

Condou quickly adds that if it was a mistake, he’s hopefully it’s one the producers won’t move to rectify. He’s having far too much fun in the show.

The Rocky Horror Show might these days be considered a bit of a theatrical camp fun, but it should be remembered that it began life as a seriously avant garde, edgy piece of work.

Richard O’Brien’s musical was unlike anything that had been seen in British theatre. It’s easy to forget that, but when it arrived in 1973 it was a bafflingly popular, very odd musical.

Condou says: “Who could have possibly guessed that this tiny cult play that was upstairs at the Royal Court would become this cultural behemoth? It feels these days that’s it’s like a rites of passage for people who like theatre – and you never just see it once.”

With songs like Science Fiction/Double Feature and the classic disco hit Time Warp, the musical continues to be a popular success as it tours the country.

It arrived in Leeds this week, appropriately on All Hallows’ Eve.

A feature of the production in recent years has been the well-known names cast in the show and in particular in the role of The Narrator.

Unlike most theatre productions, the role requires someone who can not just act on stage, but interact with the audience from the stage.

At The Rocky Horror Show anarchy reigns and the audience is actively encouraged to shout 
out famous catchphrases or on the spot invented bon mots. It’s why Nicholas Parsons, who famously stood on stage in a dinner jacket, bow tie and stockings as the Narrator was a perfect choice for the role.

“It’s not like anything I’ve ever done before,” says Condou.

“I’m so used to ignoring the audience. I’ve done a lot of theatre and the last thing you do is talk to the audience. In this show, not only do you talk to them, they talk back to you and the worst bit is, you have no idea what they’re going to say. It means you really are doing a new show every night.

“It’s a bit like doing stand up to a room full of hecklers, except they’re not really heckling because they’re really on your side. They’re not trying to trip you up, they want to be involved. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had on a job.”

When he first stepped into the shoes – or indeed stockings – of the likes of Parsons, Candou, perhaps best known as Marcus Dent in Coronation Street, was prepared but scared.

“It’s terrifying. The first time you go on stage you have your lines and you have some ideas of responses to what the audience might shout, but it is very scary at first,” he says.

Having had a nine-month break to record a part for a TV show, he’s back and is clearly delighted to 
be in the Narrator’s skimpy underwear.

“It’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen. You try to explain it to people and prepare them by telling them what it is, but it just doesn’t work. You can’t explain it, you just have to see it.”

It’s a good point. But it doesn’t explain why this odd show that began upstairs at the Royal Court 43 years ago has such enduring appeal.

“The audience don’t feel like they’re at a play. They feel like they’re at the best fancy dress party ever where everyone is having a great time.”

The Rocky Horror Show is at Leeds Grand Theatre until November 5.

Tickets from the box office 0844 8482700 or online www.leedsgrandtheatre.com