The Rocky Horror Show, which this year celebrates its 52nd birthday, has been seen by more than 35 million theatre-goers, many of whom have watched the musical again and again and again.

But it’s not just the audience who keep returning to the show, many in the cast have also racked up years and hundreds of performances – because they just can’t stay away. 

Rejoining the cast for the current tour are Stephen Webb as the crazed Dr Frank-N-Furter and Haley Flaherty as the seemingly innocent Janet – and both are serial Rocky Horror performers.

Stephen first donned Frank’s fishnets in 2018 and has played the Sweet Transvestite from Transexual Transylvania more than 1,300 times - and he continues to relish every performance.

“I never get bored of the show,” he says. “The reason I came back is because it’s so much fun. It’s not just the show but also the fans. They come dressed in their costumes, they have their shout outs, they come day in and day out. There’s a lot of love for the show and I always try to live up to it.

“When I play Frank I feel like a bit of a pop star, like Mick Jagger, because as soon as I come out everyone screams for me, even before I’ve said a word.

“Everyone has a good night out and it’s brilliant. We’ve had people tell us afterwards that they didn’t know what to expect but they loved it. Then I always say, welcome to the family’ because once you’ve seen it once, you’ll come and see it again.”

Created by Richard O’Brien in 1973, The Rocky Horror Show features the adventure of newly engaged couple Brad and Janet who, when their car breaks down, ask for help at a nearby castle. Inside they find not only the Frankenstein-like Dr Frank-N-Furter but they also discover a lot about themselves they could never have imagined.

For Stephen, who began his acting career at the age of eight in a West End production of Oliver! and has appeared in shows as diverse as Jersey Boys, Guys and Dolls, Saturday Night Fever and Kiss Me, Kate, the role of Frank-N-Furter was irresistible.

“It really pushes me out of my comfort zone. I’d never done a show like this before. I’d never put on make-up, high heels and stockings,” he says. “And when I do that, and put on the wig, it changes my persona.

“My make-up wasn’t great to start with, but now I’ve perfected it to a 20-minute routine. I was given the tip, apply it as though you’ve stolen it from your mother’s purse and are putting it on yourself.

“The high heels were difficult to start with because I was getting a lot of blisters - strutting around in them and dancing can be quite painful. I got used to them quite quickly and think I have a certain flair with them. They also tone up your legs and bum and change your posture, so I love wearing them now!”

Stephen has also gained a fuller understanding of Frank over the years.

“There’s light and shade to Frank, more than just strutting around in heels. He is a psychopathic, narcissistic alien but, towards the end of the second half, you see the mask taken off and the true person beneath.”

Haley first played Janet in 2009 and has returned to the role various times.

“When we opened this tour, I was reminded of why I keep coming back. Janet is an amazing character. You start off as one version of Janet and then she goes through this whole awakening journey throughout the show. By the end you get to play this character who is a lot more evolved and who has a lot more to think about. She is great fun to play, a real gift.

“And for me, it’s also being part of the Rocky family. The music, the storyline and all the wacky characters are just phenomenal.”

That family includes the audiences. Packed full of songs including Sweet Transvestite, The Time Warp and Dammit Janet, the stage show encourages audiences to don costumes and join in the fun.

“UK audiences are perfect, they know all the shout outs and the fan base is huge which makes the show what it is,” says Haley who has also appeared in West End and touring productions including The Mousetrap, Chicago, Grease, Love Never Dies and Mamma Mia!

“There are people who have been coming for years, they have their costumes and we see a lot of the same faces again and again. I’ve never seen anything like the support for the show. It is a testament to the show, not only me coming back as a performer but people watching it again and again.”

Haley believes Rocky Horror’s popularity is down to a recipe of the right ingredients.

“Every single song is a banger, they’re so cleverly written. And then you’ve got this story which people love. People come and, for a couple of hours, they can be just who they want to be. There’s no judgement there.

“The show talks about finding your own identity and that everyone is different. That feels like it’s almost more relevant now than it was when it was first performed back in the seventies. Everyone is talking about identity these days and trying to find out who they are.”

The Rocky Horror Show plays Belgrade Theatre Coventry from 22-27 October then returns to the West Midlands next spring playing Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from 13-18 April and The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham from 6-11 July. 

Feature by Diane Parkes