If you were approached to star in a show in which the audience routinely hurled insults at the cast and you’d end up every night dancing around in your underwear, it might not at first glance appear to be a great career move.
But for West End star James Bisp, the opportunity to be part of the Rocky Horror Show was just too good to turn down.
James, who has been part of a number of hugely successful musicals including Spamalot, Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat plays Brad the ultimate nerd in the riotous rock and roll musical which ends a UK tour in Manchester later this month.
“It is a unique experience compared to any other job I’ve done as an actor over 20 years,” he said. “I’ve done fun gigs in the past. Spamalot had a certain crazy feel to it but I’ve never experienced anything like it. The audience literally does become part of the show. They don’t watch it, they live it.”
For all his vast experience, this is the first time James has been part of the Rocky Horror Show.
“When I started the job the first three weeks were terrifying,” he laughed. “I barely knew my own lines never mind what was going on around me. As an actor in this show you have to focus on many different directions. You have the usual things of knowing where you should stand and your lines but at the same time you always have an ear on what’s going on in the auditorium.”
Read also: 'I'd never heard of Rocky Horror until I got to play narrator' says Nathan Caton
This year marks 53 years since the show made its West End debut and it’s arguably never been more popular.
Naive couple Brad and Janet take refuge from a storm after their car breaks down in the castle of the mysterious Frank ‘n’ Furter where they are introduced to his outlandish retinue.
“The show really is unique,” said James. “It’s a longer running than the likes of Les Mis or Cats or Phantom which people don’t realise. There’s a reason for that – it’s two hours of pure fun escapism and a celebration of freedom.
“In this world it’s more relevant than ever really. For every generation that freedom of expression is really important; it’s about acceptance and pretty much anything goes at Rocky Horror.”
That is certainly about many devotees of the show who arrive in outlandish costumes which often threaten to outshine those on stage.
“In this weird world, it’s great to see some big burly bloke walking down the street in Sunderland in a basque on his way to the theatre - that’s what is so great about the show and why people come back time and time again; you are guaranteed the best night.”
Over the years the amount of audience participation in the show has grown to the point where certain ‘shout outs’ are expected at different spots in the show.
“I think if you come along never having seen the show before you might wonder what on earth is going on,” said James. “When done well and perfectly timed, the shout outs can really add to the show and we love them on stage.”
But it doesn’t mean that audience members can randomly interrupt the show.
“It is like there is a contract between us and the audience,” said James. “They have to understand that we have got to carry on with the show. We do say that if you are doing a shout out do it loud and proud but don’t just shout any old nonsense and do it an the right time.”
Keeping everything in order is the narrator who in Manchester will be played by comedian Nathan Caton.
“He’s got some really good comebacks and is also really good at putting people in their place,” said James. “He controls it all and can have banter with the audience. For the rest of us, our job is to carry on and not let it distract us.”
For all the shout outs and outlandish costumes in the audience, one of the reasons for the show’s longevity is the fact it’s a great rock and roll musical with songs such as Sweet Transvestite and, of course, Time Warp.
“It’s really banger after banger,” said James. “We have a magnificent live band on stage with us; they are epic, probably the best touring band in the UK.
“The songs soon get everyone on their feet. The other night the entire front row was up dancing apart from a couple of teenagers who I think were boyfriend and girlfriend. The girl’s mum was straight up and they just looked mortified but by the end they were up there dancing along with everyone else - it’s so sweet when that happens.”
After 12 months on the road, Manchester marks the last stop for the tour and James will be very sad to see it end.
“Touring is very hard but it’s such a great show and such a great cast that every night you can’t wait to get on stage,” he said.
“What has made this show even more special is that Janet is played by Hayley Flaherty. We last performed together 20 years ago in the Boyfriend at Regents Park Open Air Theatre; we were a boyfriend and girlfriend in that show and and here were are playing Brad and Janet 20 years on. It’s a real full circle moment.
“I don’t think we’d bumped into each other since then until we started rehearsals. She’s a really special person.”
Rocky Horror Show is at the Palace Theatre, Manchester from July 27 to August 1. Details from www.atgtickets.com
