The Rocky Horror Show first began life in 1973 before an audience of just 63 people in the Royal Court’s Theatre Upstairs. Now, 50 years on, the legendary smash hit musical has been seen by 30 million people in the longest continuous run of a contemporary musical anywhere in the world.
As the show prepares to open at Manchester’s Opera House as part of a newly extended UK tour, actor Kristian Lavercombe is getting ready to once again step into the shoes and wig cap of Riff Raff - a role he’s played more than 2,000 times. “The role has become such a big part of my life and I absolutely adore it,” said Kristian, “when I look in the mirror, I see Riff Raff as my own face now.” READ MORE: Reverend and the Makers bring a 'Heatwave In The Cold North' at Manchester Academy Kristian has been playing the role of Riff Raff for 13 years now, and completed his 2,000th performance as the demonic butler in March 2022.
However, he never intended to play the role when he auditioned for it in New Zealand in 2010. He explained: “I had been in a few smaller productions of The Rocky Horror show as Frank n Furter and Brad Majors, so I attended the audition at quite short notice. “I didn’t think I was suited to Riff Raff so I almost said I can see myself playing anything but him, but I stopped myself at the last moment and it’s the one and only role they asked me for - surprisingly to me, but perhaps not to the director.
It was a risk but I understood the character and the show.” The Rocky Horror Show is the story of two squeaky clean college kids – Brad and his fiancée Janet.