EVERYONE has their Rocky Horror Picture (Picture) Show memory, and they don’t even have to be of a “certain age”; the phenomenon crosses that barrier with its enduring popularity. Fans know the lore of this strange journey, from its original London production in June 1973 where it ran until 1980, to its mixed fortunes in the US.
They know the musical was adapted for screen in 1975, with Tim Curry reprising his stage role and creator Richard O’Brien (music, lyrics and book) as Riff Raff, to become the longest-running release in film history. With midnight screenings taking it to cult status, shadow casts, interactive screenings, parties and dress-ups, and many, many stage productions and interpretations around the world for half a century (let that sink in), a new production of The Rocky Horror Show comes to Theatre On The Bay in April where it will run until 31 May 2026 before moving to Joburg. I have a hunch it will be a sold-out show because really, who can resist?
My own experience goes all the way back to when the movie was shown briefly before being banned shortly after its initial release, making it even more desirable. The apartheid-era government deemed it “transgressive” and accused it of corrupting the youth, largely due to its queer themes, sexual content, and rebellious nature.
Best Lead Performance In A Musical Theatre Production for Rocky Horror, and the night before we met, he won Best Male Lead Performance in a Musical – My Fair Lady in which he played Professor Higgins. That was directed by Stead too and what a fabulous show it was.
Urbani’s stage and big and small screen credits, and awards, are too numerous to list here so suffice it to say he is an actor of great experience and accomplishments. He is loving getting back into the Frank-N-Furter character and heels. Fun fact: they were custom-made for him in Germany and on that day they were being reinforced so he was rehearsing in trainers.
Transitioning from being Joburg to Cape Town-based, Urbani is having a grand old time here. It’s where his two favourite women are (his lady and his daughter), and he’s here a lot of the time anyway, so it makes sense he’s in the market for a house. “We’re going to try make a life here, one as normal as possible when you’re in this industry,” he says.
It’s easy to get someone talking about Rocky Horror and its place in their life and Urbani is no exception. “I saw the movie when I was a young and didn’t understand it at all,” he says. “I remember loving the beginning but when it got to the Floor Show I’m like I’m not following this anymore. I loved it, loved the music.”
After finishing his journalism and drama studies at Rhodes in 1992, 21-year-old Urbani’s first theatre job was The Rocky Horror Show, Colin Law’s production. “My agent said go for Brad but they said ‘no, you can’t sing it, vocally you’re not right’. I wasn’t musical theatre trained; I was more of a rocker, I played drums and bit of guitar, and sang pop or rock in bands. They wanted me to play Rocky so I bleached my hair and went to the gym.
“It played at the Victory Theatre in Orange Grove and Jeremy Crutchley was my Frank. Ian von Memerty took over from him, David Dennis was our Riff Raff. I was so young, I remember loving the show…we did the then-Nico Malan and The Baxter. It was wonderful, and a great launching pad for me.”
Even though Urbani did go on to play Brad, he remembers looking at Jeremy Crutchley and thinking how much he wanted to play Frank-N-Furter. “It’s a dream role because there are no rules. He is unpredictable, he is erratic. He is demure and gentle one second, then aggressive and almost villainous the next. He’s guttural and earthy and then he’s light and camp. It’s such a gift to play him,” he says.
But. When he does, he sees and hears only one version: Tim Curry. “He’s just beautiful. It’s so hard to capture live what he did on celluloid, it’s not easy.”
In his previous outing in the role in 2019 was somewhat sanitised, says Urbani. This time he has more freedom to play Frank his way. “For me it’s more true to what it should be. I’m a purist. I love the film, and I prefer if it doesn’t stray too much…it should be what I would expect if I went to see it. It’s a gift of a show.”
- REHEARSAL PHOTOS: Bianca Coleman
THIS PRODUCTION PR
The Rocky Horror Show stars an award -winning South African cast led by Urbani (We Will Rock You, My Fair Lady), who reprises his role as Frank-N-Furter, with Léa Blerk (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Dear Evan Hansen) as Janet, Robert Everson (Noises Off, Tony Awards) as Brad, Schoemann Smit (Black Coffee, The Sound of Music) as Riff Raff, Jasmine Minter (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Addams Family) as Magenta, Anna Olivier (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) as Columbia, Natasha Sutherland (Twelfth Night) as the Narrator, Micah Stokajovic (My Fair Lady, Peter Pan) as Rocky and Zak Hendrikz (Sewe, A Christmas Carol) as Eddie/Dr Scott. Miguel de Sampaio, Tjaart van der Walt, Cleo Wesley, Alessia Gironi, Taya Pearson, Gabi Knight and Sasha Duffy make up the stellar ensemble.
Stead’s production brings a fresh, fearless edge to Richard O’Brien’s iconic musical while staying true to its anarchic heart. Audiences can expect a slick, high-voltage theatrical experience packed with unforgettable songs, outrageous characters and a whole lot of liberated fun. First performed in 1973, The Rocky Horror Show has become one of the most celebrated musicals of all time, shattering conventions and gleefully celebrating individuality, freedom of expression and unapologetic self-discovery. From the moment sweethearts Brad and Janet experience a stormy night, a flat tyre and a detour to a mysterious castle, audiences are swept into a world where nothing is quite what it seems and everything is possible.
Inside the castle, they encounter the charismatic, corset-clad sweet transvestite Dr Frank-n-Furter, his eccentric household and the muscle-bound creation Rocky, brought to life in a riot of glitter and glam. What unfolds is a deliciously subversive journey of transformation, temptation and self-realisation fuelled by rock anthems including Time Warp, Sweet Transvestite and Hot Patootie – Bless My Soul.
Stead, who has directed hits such as Twelfth Night, My Fair Lady and Metamorphoses, is known for his bold, actor-driven storytelling and theatrical flair, and audiences can expect a visually striking and musically explosive take on the beloved classic that garnered rave reviews when it premiered in Durban last year. Set design is by Greg King and Kevin Kraak is the musical director.
The collaboration between Pieter Toerien Productions, one of South Africa’s most respected commercial theatre producers, and LAMTA, renowned for nurturing exceptional performance talent, ensures a high-calibre production that guarantees a fantastic night out. Whether you’re a devoted Rocky Horror fan ready to dress up and give the performers the expected retorts that have become cult-like tradition, or a first-timer curious to discover why this show continues to captivate audiences worldwide, The Rocky Horror Show at Theatre on the Bay is set to be one of the must-see theatrical events of 2026. It runs at Theatre On The Bay from 7 April to 31 May 2026 and from 12 June to 16 August 2026 at Pieter Toerien’s Theatre at Montecasino in Johannesburg. Tickets from R200 through Webtickets and the Theatre on the Bay box office on 021 438 3300. PG16.
