Latest news with #RichardO'Brien's
Scoop
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
It's Astounding! NZ Post Stamps To Celebrate Kiwi Richard O'Brien's Iconic Rocky Horror Show
This May NZ Post is recognising NZ Music month by shining a light over at the Frankenstein place. Four new stamps will celebrate over 50 years of iconic rock'n'roll musical The Rocky Horror Show. Debuting in London's Theatre Upstairs at Royal Court in June 1973, the first run of British-New Zealander Richard O'Brien's satirical tribute to B movies, science fiction and horror moved to several other locations in London before it closed in 1980. A 1975 film adaptation helped to launch it into cult status, and New Zealanders got to see the show for the first time in July 1978, with regular productions touring the country in the following decades. 'Obviously, we're shivering with anticipation! Rocky Horror has a special place in New Zealand's creative history, and we're thrilled to honour its legacy and status as a global cult hit in the official stamp programme' NZ Post's Head of Collectables Antony Harris says. Born in the United Kingdom, Richard O'Brien moved to New Zealand at the age of 10 and spent his formative years in Tauranga and Hamilton. In 2004, a statue of Rocky Horror character Riff Raff, who O'Brien debuted, was erected to honour Hamilton's influence on O'Brien's oeuvre. Harris said the stamps feature high-impact black-and-white artwork with some recognisable pops of red. 'The stamps are based on officially licensed Rocky Horror Show artwork, with a unique interpretation by Wellington designer and musician Chris Jones.' Jones says it's been an honour and a challenge to try and do justice to Richard O'Brien's iconic characters and songs inside four very small frames. 'What's not to love about Rocky Horror from a visual perspective? It's an absolute feast. I've loved getting lost in the world of Brad, Janet and Frank more than I probably should have, and being reminded of just what a genius tongue-in-cheek comment on society the show makes.' 'Rocky's such a brilliant, zany collection of ideas and visuals with a long and proud history, and I'm very happy to be contributing to that." The stamps can be purchased on the NZ Post Collectables website or at selected PostShops within New Zealand – with an issue date of 7 May 2025. Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa NZ Music Month is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025. Find out more about what's happening with New Zealand music at
Sunday World
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Jennifer Zamparelli lands role in musical at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin
She will join the cast of Richard O'Brien's legendary The Rocky Horror Show as 'The Narrator', from August 11-16. Dancing with the Stars presenter Jennifer Zamparelli will feature in a rock 'n' roll musical at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin this summer. She will join the cast of Richard O'Brien's legendary The Rocky Horror Show as 'The Narrator', from August 11-16. Ms Zamparelli, who featured in comedy shows such as The Fear and Bridget and Eamon, will star alongside Australian star Jason Donovan as he reprises his role of Frank N' Furter, following a sold-out Australian Tour in 2024. The two will be reunited on stage having previously starred together there in the 2013 production of Pricilla Queen of the Desert. Ms Zamparelli said she was thrilled to be joining the cast, adding that The Rocky Horror Show has 'always been a favourite of mine'. "It's sexy, outrageously funny and it's going to be so much fun working with such a brilliant cast including my old pal – the legend that is Jason Donovan. 'It's certainly been a while, but I can't wait to get started,' she said. Ms Zamparelli, who worked on The Republic of Telly, both as a writer and actor, has a diverse career spanning theatre, television, and radio. The 45-year-old Dubliner appeared on the British TV series The Apprentice during season four, making it to week seven after presenting herself as a then 27-year-old marketing consultant. In 2008, she reached the final of the RTÉ gameshow Fáilte Towers. As a live broadcaster, she has presented Dancing with the Stars for the last six years. She left RTÉ 2FM in May 2024, following a decade with the station. Having been seen by over 35 million theatregoers, The Rocky Horror Show is the story of two squeaky clean college kids–Brad and his fiancée Janet. When by a twist of fate, their car breaks down outside a creepy mansion on their way to visit their former college professor, they meet the charismatic Dr Frank-n-Furter. Directed by Christopher Luscombe, The Rocky Horror Show features timeless classics, including Sweet Transvestite, Dammit Janet, and Time Warp. Tickets are available now through Ticketmaster.
