Spirit Of The Show (Press, 30 May 1986)

The opening of “The Rocky Horror Show” in Christchurch is eagerly anticipated, with fans such as Ms Brigid Kelly and Mr Mikhail Beban embracing the excitement as the show prepares to debut at the Theatre Royal on June 4, 1986. The executive producer, Wilton Morley, who grew up in the theatre as the son of actor Robert Morley, has a wealth of experience in the performing arts. He moved to Australia 12 years ago, drawn by the greater opportunities available there compared to London at the time, and has since produced several shows annually. Morley has notably toured “Rocky Horror” twice in Australia and believes this New Zealand tour may be one of the last for the iconic show, although its popularity remains undiminished. He describes it as fresh and even ahead of its time, pointing out that it was created by New Zealand native Richard O’Brien. Originally debuted as a live performance, “Rocky Horror” gained fame through its film adaptation, cultivating a dedicated following where fans often dress as their favourite characters. Morley credits the enduring appeal of the show to its rock ’n’ roll music. Taking on the lead role and directing the New Zealand tour is Daniel Abineri, who has experience from previous Australian tours, making this his first dual role as both performer and director. The cast includes 30 members, with 19 performing on stage and 13 being local talent from New Zealand. Morley has praised the level of skill among local actors, highlighting the impressive audition performances of teenagers, which exceeded his expectations. Among the cast are 17-year-olds Andrew Binns and Ann Wilson from Auckland, who play teenagers encountering the flamboyant Frank-N-Furter. Notably, former Prime Minister Sir Robert Muldoon will make a special appearance as the narrator in Auckland for one week, a move Morley admits is more of a gimmick given Muldoon's limited availability for the three-month tour. In Christchurch, the narrator's role will be filled by Auckland’s Paul Minifie. Morley believes that productions like “Rocky Horror” play a significant role in attracting young audiences to the theatre. He noted that the show has grossed $6 million in Australia, indicating substantial popularity; many young attendees return to see it multiple times. While this re-engagement is beneficial for the show, he hopes it will inspire these young viewers to explore a wider variety of theatrical performances in the future. Morley will be involved in part of the New Zealand tour but will not remain for its entire duration.

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