The Rocky Horror show is the perfect antidote to the British stiff upper lip, its star tells Laura Davis

HE’S a sex-obsessed transvestite with attitude and a crackpot scientist with questionable ethics. And when Frank ’n’ Furter time warps his way on to the Empire stage next month, he will also be quintessentially American.

It’s the Rocky Horror Show’s second visit to Liverpool since David Bedella took over the role synonymous with Warrington-born Tim Curry, who spoke his lines in a plummy English accent.

Bedella’s version of this modern Prometheus uses his own Chicago tones and so is far from being a carbon copy of his predecessor.

“It’s a challenge because, with a show like this, everybody has got an impression of how it should be,” says the Olivier Award winner.

“Tim Curry has indelibly marked this role so when you come to it as an actor you have to ask yourself is there anything new that I can bring to this, or will I just be another carbon copy?

“I discovered once we were in rehearsal that making him American allowed my personality to come through.”

Frank ’n’Furter’s most significant character traits remain, he adds: “He’s strong and arrogant and sexy and vulnerable.”

In fact, Bedella sees this as a “once in a lifetime role”, even though he’s lucky enough to do it twice.

“It’s got everything you want as an actor,” he explains.

“You’re able to play outrageous crazy comedy. You’re able to break hearts with a poignant song. Most of the time in a role, you have to work to get the audience on your side.

“With this one, before I even come through the doors they’re screaming.”

While he appreciates the Frank ’n’ Furter fanciers, the audience participation can be a bit too much.

“People get dressed up and let their hair down a bit but sometimes they get a little bit crazy and that’s hard to deal with,” says Bedella, who created the roles of Satan/Warm Up Man in Jerry Springer – The Opera.