Jason Donovan to star in Rocky Horror Show in Manchester

The singing superstar will take on the role of Frank-N-Furter in the show from May 19 to May 31.

He will join an 'exceptional' cast including Stephen Webb, who will reprise the role of Frank N Furter at select performances and venues in 2024, and Adam Strong, who will make his Rocky debut in 2025.

The cast also features Connor Carson as Brad, Lauren Chia as Janet, Job Greuter as Riff Raff, and Natasha Hoeberigs as Magenta/Usherette.

Jayme-Lee Zanoncelli will play Columbia, Morgan Jackson will play Rocky, and Edward Bullingham will play Eddie/Dr Scott.

The cast is completed by Phantoms Ryan Carter-Wilson, Arthur Janes, Hollie Nelson, Erica Wild with on-stage swing Alex Hetherington and on-stage swing/dance captain Stacey Monahan.

An 'exceptional' cast will be taking to the stage (Image: Rocky Horror Show) Speaking about his return to the show, Jason Donovan said: "In many ways, very easy, I put on the costume and there’s Frank all over again.

"I’m in touch with my feminine side but I come from a masculine sensibility.

"The character embraces both sides of me: a strength and a vulnerability as well as danger and denial."

He added: "One of the reasons I love Rocky is because it’s a short show.

"It says everything it needs to say and nothing more.

"There’s no unnecessary padding.

"It means nobody gets bored and you leave them wanting more."

The Rocky Horror Show first began in 1973.

It was an immediate success and transferred to the Chelsea Classic Cinema, before going on to run at the Kings Road Theatre, 1973-79 and the Comedy Theatre in the West End, 1979-80.

Since it first opened, the Rocky Horror Show has become the longest continuous run of a contemporary musical anywhere in the world.

The show has been seen by over 30 million people worldwide in more than 30 countries and translated into 20 languages as it continues to delight audiences on its sell-out tour.

Jason said: "It’s not hard to see why: in many ways, Rocky is panto for adults.

"The costumes are just as much a part of the show as the characters and the music."

The Rocky Horror Show has become the longest continuous run of a contemporary musical anywhere in the world (Image: Rocky Horror Show) He has previously starred in the original production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as Joseph, returning as Pharaoh in the 2019 revival and subsequently on tour.

He was in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts, has had two stabs at playing drag artist Mitzi in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, he also played music mogul Sam Phillips in Million Dollar Quartet, the demon barber of Fleet Street himself in Sweeney Todd and Lionel Logue in The King’s Speech.

But it is Dr Frank-N-Furter who occupies a special place in his heart.

He said: "I come to the role as an actor.

"I always dreamed of fronting a rock band and this is about as close as I’ve got.

"When I put on those high heels, I become that rock ‘n’ roll star.

"It makes me feel powerful, tall, in charge."

Tickets are on sale now.