JADAR

The Rocky Horror Show is basically always on tour. Following its stint in Manchester earlier this year, it returns early next year, which marks half a century since the musical premiered. Ahead of the show’s return to the UK, I had the pleasure of talking to Suzie McAdam, who was in Rome, Italy as part of the show’s Italian run. McAdam, who originated the role of Enid Hoopes in the West End production of Legally Blonde, plays Magenta and the Usherette.

Maria: This year, the show celebrates its 50^th anniversary. Is there anything special about the production this time around, and how is the mood amongst the cast?

Suzie: “I joined the show at the end of 2021, and it was the first production that was rolling out after COVID. So that year really felt like a celebration of theatre anyway. [Everyone] had been stuck in their houses, and not only the actors but the audience as well. So, it was the most amazing feeling to be back in the theatre, and it felt like having a big party.

“And then obviously the 50th came along, and I decided to stay in the show for that reason. I just thought what an amazing part of history to be involved in. This show is so iconic and is part of our pop culture in the UK and all over the world, and to be a small part of that is just a wonderful feeling. And you can feel it in all the actors and the cast, having that moment of going, ‘Oh, I was part of that production.’

“It feels like being in the theatre production that happened in 1973. We had that cast come and join us [at] the 50th gala in London, and I got to meet Patricia Quinn, who originated the role of Magenta, and it was this wonderful full circle moment of, ‘Wow, I’m meeting someone who did this and is in the same position as me but 50 years later.’ It was just incredible; it has been a magical time, and the audience can also feel how special it is. And to say that you’ve come to see the show on the 50th anniversary is pretty cool.”

M: It will be my first time!

S: “Okay, good luck! You’ll have the best time. People that have never seen the film or the show and come along are completely like, ‘What is happening around me?’ It feels like everyone is in on a joke that you don’t know because they’re all standing up and dancing, doing the time warp, and being dressed up as the characters. So just go with it and just embrace it for all the madness and the bizarreness that it is.

M: I am even more curious now. There was the film after the first initial musical, right? And it is described as a huge cult. Especially because, at that time, it was an opportunity for minorities, for queer people, to be part of the community, to show themselves, to express themselves. Do you think a lot has changed throughout these years? Obviously, now we recognise these people much more, but do you feel that the audience has massively changed? Do you see more family people?

S: “Well, there is a 14-year-old age limit. But still, if you’re 14, you’re quite young. And sometimes you look out and you think, ‘I don’t know if you’re old enough.’ But I think it still resonates with people today. I get messages on social media all the time saying that the show was someone’s first experience of watching someone who looked like them, or was dressed like them, or wanted to be free like them.

“It’s really nice to see that something that was created 50 years ago and was so ahead of its time, so liberal and open, is still communicating with people today. And people find their people in the show, and their community within the show. There are people that come along to see the show and then they join the fan groups and they make friends with people and then, next time, they come as a group.

“So, it’s a really inclusive environment, and it makes everyone feel part of it. I think the characters that were created in the seventies are still relevant. Of course, there are some things that maybe need to be adapted for the future, but the show is still so popular because it’s a timeless message to be yourself, to be who you want to be and to not apologise for it. And I think that’s a message that everyone can take something from, whether it is their life, their love life, their careers, anything. There are basically no boundaries.

M: It feels like all the characters there are a bit exaggerated but that’s also probably what attracts the public because, in reality, you meet all these cold gazes and judgement, and then you go to the show, and you see it in full flourish. So, this gives an understanding that you can actually be yourself, and you see the same people around and join their community. 

S: “Actually, I would love to see some of the people in real-life dressed up the way they are dressed up in the show. To see them going back to their normal lives, what they actually look like most of the year round. Because some people elaborate costumes that they’ve put a lot of time and effort into, and it’s outrageous what they’re wearing. And they’re so comfortable.

“I have seen men in their 60s in tiny little gold hot pants, and I thought, ‘Wow, you should not be wearing that in Manchester, but go for it. You do you.’ It is sort of escapism for people, and that feeling of being whatever they want to be for one night and having fun with friends and family, and sing and dance and not taking itself too seriously.”

M: Sometimes you just need an excuse to look how you want to look because usually you have a daily life where you go to the office or to work and then you go home. And it would look awkward if you’re all dressed up, whereas here it’s this opportunity where you can express yourself.

S: “Yes, it is like Halloween in that way, where you can just pick a character and go for it. And I love looking out in the audience and seeing loads of Magentas all dressed like me, and I feel that these are my people. They resonate with the character like I do; they want to be that sexy, vampy, sassy, scary women.”

M: I saw in one of your interviews that whenever you see people dressed as Magenta in the audience, you try to make eye contact or to show them that you noted them. How does that work – do you think they can really see that you are waving to them or they are just excited about the night?

S: “Well, who knows? Sometimes they get a little wave from me, but it’s mainly with the Usherette. In the show, there’s the Usherette and Magenta, and they’re both played by me. So, the Usherette opens the show and she is the fan; she is basically the audience. She’s telling them all about these amazing B-movies, and she’s just so fanatical about it.

“So, I get to open the show on my own, and I can look out and make eye contact with the audience. And whenever I see an Usherette, also because it’s quite rare, I think, “Oh, there’s an Usherette, that’s so cool!” And I’ll wave at them, and it’s this little moment of knowing that we are on the same page here. The audience knows who I am and what the purpose of this song is. It’s a lovely moment.

“Even when the audience are singing along as loud as they can, it’s so wonderful. This is definitely a show where you can come and you can sing and you can enjoy yourself and we can’t even hear you because the music’s so loud. So, it is a really lovely feeling to have that affinity with someone in the audience, and that’s why it’s so interesting.

“Every night I’m not bored because there’s something new to see. Like if it’s a guy in his 60s in his hot pants or if it’s Magenta giving it loudly in the first row. It’s never a dull moment, let’s put it that way.”

M: It’s good to know that you can’t hear the audience singing because of the loud music. Because when you sit in the theatre, you can definitely hear people singing around you.

S: “This show is more like a rock concert gig than it is a musical now. But it’s so different to come to different countries as well. For instance, in Italy, they’re so quiet. They don’t shout out; they only clap. But at the end, when we do the reprise of ‘Time Warp’, everyone’s up and dancing. It feels like they were given permission at the end to stand up, but in the UK, it’s just a riot; everyone’s up and dancing in the aisles and singing and having the best time.

“So, if you expect a normal musical theatre experience, I don’t think this is the show for you. But if you are up for a party, a rock concert, kind-of gig concert, and something a bit strange, then you will love it.”

M: Yes, it feels like in the UK, theatre culture is different. People do not need permission to express themselves during the performance. So, it should be very interesting for you to perform in different countries and see different reaction.

S: “Absolutely. We were in Israel last year, and we didn’t know what to expect from Tel Aviv. And they were wild in ‘Time Warp’. As soon as it started, everybody ran down the aisles to the front of the theatre, where there was this little free area, and they were banging on the stage and dancing, and it was incredible. It was absolutely incredible. I’ll never forget that first night when we saw this – a group of people just descending towards us. And that’s how they celebrated the musical there. So yes, it’s lovely to come to different places and see the different audiences and how they react and what they shout out.

“When you come, you’ll find out quite quickly that the audience shout out responses to us when we do the dialogue. And sometimes you have to wait whether they are shouting today or not. It’s almost like they’re another member of the company because they have dialogue that they give back and forth to us. And it’s really lovely because at different places you go to, you hear different things and different accents as well. We love the Manchester accent, and since I’m from Scotland, when we go to Glasgow, I always like hearing the shout outs in my own accent.”

M: So, apart from the audience’s reaction, what’s your favourite part of the show?

S: “I think it is the “Science Fiction/Double Feature” opening song, and it’s such a privilege to get to open the show on my own every night. It feels like going to the top of a diving board and just diving in every night. It is an amazing feeling that I never get bored of.

“When the curtain opens and the spotlight goes on, the audience are just with me for two and a half minutes. And I get to bring them into the world that they’re going to experience. And it’s such an honour, especially after COVID; it was something I never thought I’d be able to do again. I didn’t see myself being in a theatre or performing after all that time in the house.”

M: What would you do then if not theatre?

S: “I am a trained secondary teacher, so I teach drama in secondary school. I could go back to teaching but my passion is performing. It always has been. Although I do love teaching and sharing my passion with children, I just wanted to be back on the stage. And that first night when I got to do it, I was so thankful for being back in this amazing industry and being able to entertain people.”

M: “You have quite a history of shows and musicals. The Rocky Horror Show is not your first one. Is there a musical you would love to play again in?”

S: “Yes, it would have to be Legally Blonde. That was my big break, and that was my first West End job, and I was 22, I think, when I started that. It was also a show I had admired. As soon as it came out on Broadway, I was watching it and dreaming about the part of Enid Hoopes, which was the part that I originated in the UK. She’s so funny, she’s quirky, she’s a little bit of me. And then I got it, and it was one of those things that almost never happens.

“So, I just had the best time with that cast, and we performed at the Olivier Awards and we won Best Musical, and it was an amazing year. I was in that show for two years ,and when I look back on [it], I realise that I didn’t really know how lucky I was back then, but I definitely appreciate it now. I would love to go back and play one of the other characters like Paulette or Vivienne.”

M: What would you say to a person who has never seen the musical but is going to see it for the first time? 

S: “I would just say, expect the unexpected and go in with an open mind. Don’t expect to understand fully what’s going on but just embrace [it]. It’s always lovely to dress up but if you don’t feel confident or comfortable dressing up just yet, until you’ve seen the show, maybe just a little boa or a little sparkly top hat – just something that makes you feel like you’re part of the party.

“And definitely at the end, get up and have a dance with us and have a sing. You won’t regret it because you see some people sitting and they really want to get up and dance but they feel a little shy. I just want to run up to them and tell them that they can come dance with us. But I can’t because I’m on stage. So, just don’t be embarrassed; let your inhibitions go and have a good time.

You can catch Suzie McAdam in The Rocky Horror Show on tour around Europe until March 31. It returns to the UK from January 8 until February 10, with a short stint at Opera House Manchester from January 23 to 28.