Jason Donovan to lead Newcastle run of The Rocky Horror Show

Australian star Jason Donovan is to return to the lead role of Frank ‘n’ Furter in cult classic The Rocky Horror Show for the first time in more than 25 years - and Newcastle audiences will get to see him back in those fishnets first hand.

The singer-songwriter is to head up the cast in a new tour of the show which will bring him to the Theatre Royal in Newcastle, it has been announced. And, over a quarter of a century on from when he last played the lead, he says he is thrilled to be back.

The new tour of Richard O’Brien's famous rock 'n' roll musical, which made its debut in London in 1973 and has attracted a worldwide reputation and a cult following over the years, will get under way this August and continue until next February, with the city theatre wrapping up the run. The rest of the cast has yet to be announced but Donovan is promising fans the show will be "a wild and wicked ride".

• Read more: See Theatre Royal's An Officer and a Gentleman cast being put through their paces in Newcastle

• Get all the latest North East updates with our free What’s On newsletter

He said: "I am thrilled to dive into the exhilarating role of Frank 'n' Furter with a fantastic new cast and Timewarp with audiences throughout the UK. We promise to deliver the freshest Rocky ever, that audiences will not forget."

The former Neighbours star and singer has already resumed the role in his native Australia, winning rave reviews for performances in Sydney. He is well-known over here for his many musical roles, having made his West End debut in Joseph in 1991 and followed up with the likes of Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Grease The Musical.

And music-wise he continues to tour. As Dr Frank ’n’ Furter, who is the catalyst for adventure in the tale of squeaky clean college kid Brad and his fiancée Janet, he will be the focus of a show which mixes science-fiction, horror, comedy and music and is known for its outrageous outfits - plus audience participation - and songs such as Sweet Transvestite; Dammit Janet and floor-filler The Time-Warp.

It will run at the Theatre Royal - where Donovan last appeared in 2022 playing the Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - from January 27 until February 1. For tickets see here or call 0191 232 7010.