The brains behind 'The Rocky Horror Show' will tour New Zealand this October with a new satirical musical project - this time pulling political punches.
Tauranga-based British-New Zealander Richard O'Brien penned the 1973 musical, and later starred as Riff Raff in its adaptation into the 1975 cult-classic film 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show'.
All royalties from his new show, entitled 'Kingdom of Bling: Celebration of Kingness Tour', will go to Starship Children's Hospital.
The Rocky Horror Show has been seen by over 30 million people in its over fifty years - but O'Brien said he has been brought back to the stage because of American politics.
"I was driven to write it by the dreadfulness of Donald Trump's presence in the world. I just wanted to write something disparagaring that was entertaining at the same time and take us on a fairytale."
Photo: RNZ/Dylan Jones
"There's a dark edge to fairytales and it couldn't get any darker than Donald Trump's presence in the world."
O'Brien described 'Kingdom of Bling' as an Alice-in-wonderland type world, performed in the style of a live-concert radio show.
An ensemble cast will include giants, trolls, a Mr Fox modelled after the owner of the American media empire, and the king of the land, a character called 'The He', modelled after Donald Trump.
O'Brien himself will act as the narrator.
It is all backed up with a rock band, promising songs in the style of 'Rocky Horror'.
"The first and foremost principle is to entertain and give people a nice evening out, and reuinify us, as lovers of the secular world, lovers of rationality, lovers of liberal democracy.
"We've been told that we're foul, that we're wrong, simply by being what we are by default. How dare they?
"I want New Zealand to come together as a happy community and look past these divisions."
Photo: RNZ/Dylan Jones
He said he wants the show to capture that community, and the queer community that Rocky Horror eventually captured.
"All the gay community in New Zealand needs to say to these people, shut the f... up. Who are you coming into my life and telling me how to live? Are we supposed to be ashamed of who we are by default?"
The show itself is a 40-minute peice, followed by a post-show Q&A with O'Brien.
He said he does not have concerns about hitting the road at 82 - but jokes it is a bit past his bedtime.
"We'll have an alarm clock on the stage, won't we?"
The Kingdom of Bling will stage 17 shows across New Zealand, opening in Ashburton on 12 October and ending in Palmerston North on 2 November.
Photo: RNZ/Dylan Jones
