Rocky Horror Show creator Richard O’Brien takes rare acting role in raucous new comedy-drama

Photo credit: Robert Hammond

Almost 50 years after Richard O’Brien introduced the world to The Rocky Horror Show, the legendary actor is to star in a new comedy-drama.

The former Crystal Maze host has taken a rare acting role in The Barren Author, a six-part audio series.

Inspired by the stories of Baron Munchausen by Rudolf Erich Raspe, the programme is written by Paul Birch, with production and direction by Barnaby Eaton-Jones.

O’Brien, in the role of “the Brigadier”, narrates the tale via video calls to the mysterious “Smith,” played by Sophie Aldred.

The original Munchausen stories about a fictional German nobleman first appeared in the 1785 book Baron Munchausen’s Narrative of his Marvellous Travels and Campaigns in Russia.

The novel chronicled his daring adventures as a sportsman, soldier and traveller, who rode on a cannonball, fought a 40-foot crocodile and even went to the moon.

O’Brien said: “I find it enjoyable being allowed to play someone who views the truth as a moveable feast. Should I improve on doing so, I shall, most likely, turn my future ambition towards running some great nation; or other.”

His co-star, Aldred, added: “This was the best fun I could have hoped for in the airing cupboard all lockdown! I loved being the straight woman to Richard O’Brien’s ridiculous character’s funny. I can’t wait to hear the whole thing spliced together.”

After venturing into the world of acting as a stuntman in the mid-1960s, O’Brien went on to work on a number of West End hits, including Jesus Christ Superstar. But it was during a play at the Royal Court Theatre’s “Theatre Upstairs”, that he met Richard Hartley, who would become his musical partner of 40 years.

His first big hit, The Rocky Horror Show, then premiered in 1973, at the same theatre, with musical direction from Hartley.

Later on in his career he presented Channel 4’s The Crystal Maze in the early 1990s and enjoyed other high-profile roles, including “the Child Catcher” in the first stage show of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Most recently he voiced “Lawrence Fletcher,” the dad of “Phineas and Ferb,” in Disney’s cartoon of the same name.

Speaking about O’Brien’s new role in The Barren Author, director Eaton-Jones couldn’t contain his excitement.

“Right from the very start, I could hear Richard O’Brien’s voice in my head as our main character. I was so bowled over that the scripts excited him enough to take on the role (and suggesting his own creative enhancements to them - which is always the sign of an actor properly engaging with the material).”

Set to be released on 31 October, The Barren Author will be available to listen for £3.99 per episode or £19.95 for all six if bought together.

To purchase tickets, please click here.