HE IS JUST SEVEN HOURS OLD AND TRULY BEAUTIFUL TO BEHOLD!

IN THE LEAD-UP TO THE AUSTRALIAN TOUR, DAVID BLANCO FROM FUSE SPOKE WITH LOREDO MALCOLM, WHO PLAYS THE TITULAR ROLE OF FRANK-N-FURTER’S BEAUTIFUL CREATION ‘ROCKY’, A CHARACTER YEARNING TO BE MORE THAN HIS MAKER’S BRAWNY PLAYTHING.

Loredo boasts an impressive pedigree in musical theatre and dance, including stage roles in The Lion King, Hairspray, Wicked, and Chicago. On Television, Loredo was a finalist on So You Think You Can Dance and was a member of The Voice Australia’s dance troupe. He is the owner and Director of the LOcREaDO Dance Company and performed alongside Kylie Minogue on her Aphrodite Les Folies tour.

FUSE: What can audiences expect when they come to see this production of The Rocky Horror Show?

Loredo Malcolm: A fun night of theatre with what I think is one of the best casts of The Rocky Horror Show ever. You’ll laugh, cry and probably be up on your feet doing the Time Warp!

The show is known for its wild audience participation, is that encouraged?

Oh yes, we encourage audience participation, but it’s not something that everyone has to do. In fact, to really know how to participate, you would have to be a diehard Rocky Horror Picture Show fan. We also ask it to be done respectfully so that the show is not disrupted. All in good fun, I say! As for how? Well, the fans will know exactly how, when and what to say!

Tell us about your character, Rocky.

Rocky is created by Frank-N-Furter as a beautiful creature to love him. He is born as a man with no life knowledge. However, when I auditioned for this role, I wanted to bring something different; I wanted my version of Rocky to be smarter and more aware. He picks up mannerisms quickly and is witty, cheeky and likes to play with his friends. Rocky is also seen as just a ‘body’, so my physical appearance is important for the role. I think Rocky’s favourite number would be “I Can Make You a Man” with Frank-N-Furter.

Rocky has relatively little dialogue and is more of a ‘presence’ in the show. Does this present a challenge?

My version of Rocky combines his lines and his time on stage as a journey, not just moments. Rocky has the least number of lines, but he has a lot of featured moments that have as much impact as spoken dialogue. The role itself is difficult to play because his presence must command the stage without the spoken word. He must engage the audience with his energy and his spark alone. Added to this, Rocky is the most physically exposed character in the show, and this brings another layer of challenge. Ethan Jones, who plays Brad Majors, has told me he would find this more difficult than working with dialogue.

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW HAS MANY FAMOUS FANS (TIM CURRY AND MEAT LOAF MET ELVIS PRESLEY AT A LOS ANGELES PERFORMANCE OF THE STAGE PRODUCTION), BUT PERHAPS NONE MORE IMPRESSIVE THAN DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES. ONCE, WHILE DOING A SHOW IN AUSTRIA, CURRY WAS INFORMED THAT THE PRINCESS WANTED TO MEET HIM. WHEN THEY MET, SHE TOLD HIM THAT THE FILM “QUITE COMPLETED MY EDUCATION”, APPARENTLY FLASHING A ‘WICKED SMILE’ AS SHE DID SO.

Do you have a favourite number in the show?

Of course, my favourite number is “Sword of Damocles” because it’s my first appearance on stage and it’s a big one!

I’m sure our readers would also love to hear about your experiences working with Kylie Minogue on her “Aphrodite Les Folies” Tour. Tell us more!

Working with Kylie was great. She is a beautiful human, she treated us well, and it was a wonderful opportunity to dance with her when she was in Australia. My favourite number in the show with her was “All the Lovers”.

The Rocky Horror Show is currently touring the country and will be showing at The Canberra Theatre this September. For more details visit: rockyhorror.com.au

It’s a fun night of dancing with people of all flavours. There is a bar, BBQ and a live band to lead you through those dances that you might remember from primary school – like Strip the Willow, The Waves of Bondi, crazy polkas and some more genteel promenades. By the end of the night you’ll have danced with everyone, caught up with old friends, made some new ones and helped raise cash for the LGBTIQ+ community. Have fun with your Bushdance outfit. It’s a night of singlets, jeans, twirling dresses, chaps, check shirts, rhinestones, akubras, hats and boots.

Yarralumla Woolshed, Cotter Road

Saturday 18 November 2023 • 7:30pm – 1:00am

TICKETS MUST BE PRE-PURCHASED

Anyone turning up at the Woolshed without a ticket will be refused entry!

Tickets are available at the Turner Tennis Club the first four Mondays in August, 6:00-8:00pm or online — scan QR code below for details!

Please note: Tickets are limited and the use of pre-purchased tickets and enforcement of a maximum number of attendees is required to ensure compliance with the conditions of hire of the Woolshed, and with the conditions of the liquor permit.

TICKETS DETAILS

Canberra Bushdance is an R18+ event so please make sure you bring photo ID. Canberra Bushdance is a community fundraiser co-ordinated by The Canberra Gay & Lesbian Tennis Club. Media supporter FUSE Magazine.

FROM OUR NEWEST FAVES TO CLASSIC HITS AND A FEW SURPRISES, THIS IS OUR FUSE 2023 PRIDE PLAYLIST!

Lesbionic

After coming out with her debut single “Only a Girl” in 2016, Gia Woods newest single “Lesbionic” is an uplifting pop song you just must have.

Walk

Get in your own lane, queer! Channel your fabulous inner drag runway model with Saucy Santana’s fierce rap single “Walk”.

Unholy

“Unholy” by Sam Smith and Kim Petrase made history as the first song by openly trans and non-binary artists to hit No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100!

Makeup

In a colourful statement about self-worth, queer prince of pop Isaac Dunbar wants you to love yourself, with or without makeup!

Free

’Cause you’re free... to do what you want to do! It’s the ultimate gay dance anthem of freedom by Ultra Nate that you should all have!

Free, Gay and Happy

Released in 1995, no pride playlist is complete without the worldwide hit and dance party anthem, “Free, Gay and Happy” by Coming Out Crew.

I’m Coming Out

Songwriter Nile Rodgers confirmed this song was for the LGBTIQ community, and inspired after seeing ‘Diana Ross’ drag queens.

Go West

Loaded with symbolism of gay life, Russia, war and escaping to a better place, The Pet Shop Boys’ dance cover of “Go West” is more relevant now then ever!

Young Hearts Run Free

With her disco smash hit “Young Hearts Run Free”, Candi Staton took a cautionary tale about freedom and turned it into a call for LGBTIQ+ liberation.

True Colours

Nothing is more beautiful than loving someone for their true colours. Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colours” is the perfect song to slow dance to.

The Story

A heartbreaking ballad detailing teenage angst, “The Story” is also undoubtedly one of the most beautiful songs you’ll ever hear.

Want More?

Check out the rest of our LGBTIQ+ music picks by downloading our full pride playlist on Spotify — it’s free, gay and happy!