‘It’s an honour to star in Rocky Horror’: Life according to… theatre star and Strictly winner Joe McFadden

As Rocky Horror goes on tour, former Holby City star and Strictly winner Joe McFadden, who plays The Narrator, reveals what’s in store for audiences.

How much are you enjoying being part of Rocky Horror’s 50th anniversary tour?

Over the years, I kept thinking I’d love to be in this show because it just looks so much fun and it is, but at the same time it’s told really well. It’s the tightest it’s ever been, the music’s the best it’s ever sounded. It’s an honour to be asked to be involved.

It sounds like a rock concert. I’ve never heard a show sound this loud before! I’ve seen the show countless times over the years and this is by far the best cast that I’ve ever seen.

Why do you think the show has endured so long?

It was just way ahead of its time. [Writer] Richard O’Brien is a bit of a genius really. It’s such an important message and it’s told so well. It’s a real licence for people to come along, dress up, forget about your troubles, express yourself.

People go to so much bother to get dressed up, you’ll see husbands and wives together, and they’re in suspenders and stockings and have obviously never done that before!

You also get people coming along that aren’t dressed up and that have never seen it before. Youngsters who haven’t even seen the film. And they all get something out of it and have a brilliant night. It’s amazing.

© David Freeman

With debate right now about theatre behaviour, how important is the two-way relationship between audiences and performers?

It’s a difficult one because certain shows, like Pretty Women, Dirty Dancing, Bodyguard, you want to sing along. If I was in the audience I’d want to sing as well. But you can’t do it, because people are up there trying to tell you a story and it’s distracting.

You do have to be respectful. The good thing about Rocky is all bets are kind of off to an extent. I’m the Narrator, so it’s absolutely a two-way thing.

This is one of those shows where you can interact and we encourage it. That’s kind of what you sign up for in this show.

I remember when I first saw this production, I was sitting beside these guys from Paris. They didn’t know what it was but you very quickly get on board with it and get into the spirit of it.

You’ll have a different audience every night – and new challenges to face?

Some zingers I imagine are coming my way! Chris Luscombe, our director, warned me that there’s not really any way you can prepare to do this job. You just have to have some things up your sleeve and keep your wits about you. That’s the way I like it. It’s thrilling.

It’s an important show with issues still timely today?

I’ve heard interviews with Richard saying this show is for freaks and weirdos. We’re all freaks! We’re all a bit odd in our own way, and this show is a real celebration of that.

It caters to so many different audiences. I think that’s the real genius of it.

Can you remember seeing Rocky Horror for the first time?

It’s just been seared into my consciousness, I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t aware of the film and these songs. I think that’s the real genius of this production, you can come along with a real love of the source material of the movie, but this is completely different.

I think, controversially, the stage production is even better than the film because it’s so interactive and it’s such a brilliant, bonkers, party atmosphere that you don’t really get when you’re sitting alone and watching film. You’re just caught up in this this real kind of collective.

How pleased are you to bring it to Glasgow?

My first time being in a theatre was at the Pavilion. I remember going to see Fairground Attraction when I was at primary school.

I was thinking, ‘what is this thing where everyone’s sat in the dark, it’s sort of bizarre!’ Over the years I’ve been there and it’s obviously gone through a regime change recently so I’m really looking forward to seeing what they’re going to do with. I used to work right next door at STV in Cowcaddens so I was very familiar with the theatre.

It’s a real one for the bucket list getting to play there and I know the Glasgow audiences are going to lap this show up.

It’s kind of a rule of thumb that the further north you go, the more up for it the audience seem to be. I think they all enjoy it kind of the same but the northern and the Scottish audiences are much more vocal about letting you know. It really gives you some energy. I can’t wait to see what the Glasgow reaction will be like – I imagine it’s going to be wild!

Strictly’s led you to musical theatre, how much do you enjoy stepping out on stage?

The lovely thing about doing theatre is you get to see the instant reaction and you don’t have to wait a year, six months, to see what people think about it. It’s a very different job doing telly where it’s much more relaxed and you can do it again. Theatre, you’ve got to get it right, and if it doesn’t go right, you’ve got to dig yourself out of it!

Nothing’s not gone majorly wrong on this, but audiences love it when things go wrong, so you can’t beat yourself up about it. Actually, I say that, I did come on too early in one of my numbers!

Do you still get the same thrill when you step out onto the stage as you did when you started off your career?

Absolutely. In fact, more so. I think it’s good to be nervous because it shows that you care and as long as you don’t let the nerves get the better of you it’s just part and parcel of the job. I’ve sort of grown to enjoy it. I always think ‘why do we do it?’ on opening nights when you’ve not had enough rehearsal. But you get it done.

The first couple of shows are a little bit seat of the pants, but then it beds in and you remember why you do it when you hear the reaction of the audience. When it goes well, there’s nothing else like it. This is why I do it. This is why I go through it all.

How important is it that shows remain accessible?

Theatre shouldn’t just be for rich people and certainly in London, some of the ticket prices are just ridiculous. That’s the brilliant thing about taking these shows on the road – all of a sudden, they’re affordable.

You’re seeing a show that’s absolutely as good quality as in the West End. Sometimes, in this case, it’s better.

It’s so important to be getting audiences through the door. That’s what’s great about something like Rocky, people are coming out for it that have never been to the theatre or haven’t for a while.

People have sort of fallen out of the habit of going out of the house. For something like this, it’s absolutely worth it. What better are you going to be doing at the end of January in Glasgow?

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The Rocky Horror Show is at the Glasgow Pavilion on January 30 to February 4. Visit rockyhorror.co.uk