Actress Beverley Callard is to star as The Narrator in the Manchester tour dates of The Rocky Horror Show when the hit show lands at the Opera House from 9-26 January.
Coronation Street legend Beverley Callard said: “Wow! I’m really looking forward to joining the Rocky Horror family, I’ve been Time Warping for years as you all know. And I can’t wait to be back on stage at my favourite theatre, the Manchester Opera House. Get ready all you Rocky Horror fans, let’s make this strange journey together. See you all there!”
Beverley has been working in theatre and television all her adult life, she is best known for playing Liz McDonald in Britain’s favourite soap, Coronation Street, a role she has played for the past twenty nine years.
She made her television debut in the Yorkshire Television soap Emmerdale Farm as Angie Richards in 1983. The following year she played Gail and Brian Tilsley’s friend June Dewhurst in Coronation Street. Other roles followed including parts in Hinge & Bracket: Dear Ladies, Hells Bells, Will You Love Me Tomorrow and The Practice, The Peter Principle to name a few.
Much as Beverley loves Coronation Street and playing ‘Liz’ she enjoys stepping away every now and again and creating other iconic characters such as ‘Flo’ for the BBC in the cult comedy “Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps”. She spent thirty-three weeks on tour playing “Mari” in Jim Cartwrights “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice” She is a bestselling author and has released numerous fitness programmes.
During this time she also appeared on the panel for ITV’s “Loose Women” In 2003, she returned to Coronation Street providing much comic relief and emotionally charged performances as her character went through some rollercoaster storylines.
Beverley is an ambassador for Mind, the mental health charity, a subject very close to her heart. She is a strong voice in the battle to raise awareness and fight the stigma. She is also an ambassador for Blesma and The Veterans Garage two charities that offer help and support to ex service personnel.
The legendary musical extravaganza will also star West End star Stephen Webb as Frank, Strictly Come Dancing Champion Joanne Clifton as Janet, a1’s Ben Adams as Brad and Kristian Lavercombe will be reprising his role as Riff Raff, following more than 1300 performances around the world.
Directed by Christopher Luscombe, the smash hit show features all of the famous musical numbers which have made The Rocky Horror Show such a huge hit for over four decades, including “Sweet Transvestite”, “Science Fiction/Double Feature”, “Dammit Janet” and, of course, the timeless floor-filler, “The Time-Warp”.
Since it first opened in London in June 1973 at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show has become the world’s favourite Rock ‘N’ Roll musical, having been performed worldwide for 45 years in more than 30 countries and translated into over 20 languages. This critically-acclaimed stunning new production is now back by public demand and returns for a 12 month UK tour starting at Theatre Royal Brighton on 13 December 2018.
The Rocky Horror Show tells the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two squeaky clean college kids who meet Dr Frank’n’Furter by chance when their car breaks down outside his house whilst on their way to visit their favourite college professor. It’s an adventure they’ll never forget, with fun, frolics, frocks and frivolity, bursting with timeless songs and outrageous outfits. The Rocky Horror Show is a guaranteed party, which famously combines science-fiction, horror, comedy and music while encouraging audience participation meaning, of course, getting dressed in the most outrageous fancy dress.
The Rocky Horror Show first began life in 1973 before an audience of just 63 people in the Royal Court’s Theatre Upstairs. 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. In 1975 it was transformed into a film called ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’.
This film adaptation took over $135 million at the Box Office and is still shown in cinemas around the world more than 40 years after its premiere, making it the longest running theatrical release in cinema history. Many stars including Russell Crowe, Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Jerry Springer, Jason Donovan and Meatloaf have appeared in The Rocky Horror Show over the past 45 years.
In 2015, as part of a sold-out season at London’s Playhouse Theatre, a special star-studded Gala charity performance in aid of Amnesty International was broadcast to over 600 cinemas across the UK and Europe. The live screening – featuring a host of celebrities playing The Narrator including Stephen Fry, Mel Giedroyc, Emma Bunton, Ade Edmondson, Anthony Head and Richard O’Brien – smashed box office records and was the biggest grossing film in cinemas across the UK. The performance was subsequently screened on the Sky Arts channel.
Ready to thrill you with fun and naughty moments, The Rocky Horror Show is the boldest bash of them all. But be warned, this show has rude parts!
