Audience basque in glory of great night

It was a night for the weird and wonderful as theatre goers abandoned inhibition and flocked to The Rocky Horror Show in Wolverhampton.

Gender roles were blurred as men and women alike dressed up for the cult rock 'n' roll stage show which opened at the Grand Theatre last night.

The enduringly popular musical co-stars TV chef Ainsley Harriot as the guest narrator and features well-loved songs Time Warp and Sweet Transvestite.

Plasterer Mark Norton, aged 35, of Chestnut Drive, Cheslyn Hay, got into the spirit of the show in fishnets, wig and feather boa along with his wife Rachel and two friends.

He said: "I've been to see the show before in Stoke and this was a Christmas present from my wife. We came to the theatre in a taxi and I got some strange looks when I got out. I dressed up just to get into the spirit of things.

"It wasn't the first time that I've dressed up as a woman for the show."

Wife Rachel, a 34-year-old family nurse, added: "This is the third time I've seen The Rocky Horror Show, and it's funny to see my husband in his mother-in-law's clothes.

Hairdresser Corinna Cooksey, aged 23, of Manor House Road in Wednesbury, was out with two other work colleagues from Blades in Walsall.

All three girls dressed as French maids in homage to the villain Magenta.

Corinna said: "It's the first time I've seen the show and there's a great atmosphere.

"I dressed up to get into the spirit of things – you have to really don't you? It's a bit of a girlie night out and we were really looking forward to singing along."

Housewife Kate Critchley, aged 47, of Bridgewater Drive, Coseley, could not resist coming along to the show with a bright pink feather boa.

Mrs Critchley, who was there with her husband Steve and daughters Bex and Jen, said: "We missed the show when it was in Wolverhampton last time so we really wanted to see it this time round. We come to the theatre as a family quite often.

"I came to Rocky Horror for the laughs and audience participation."

Husband Steve, a 50-year-old team leader at a Black Country engineering firm, added: "I borrowed the clothes from my wife and my daughter put my make-up on.

"It didn't take too much persuading to get all dressed up. I've come for the show's atmosphere and to have a laugh."

Rocky Horror Show was created by Richard O'Brien and was first performed in London in 1973.

It proved such a hit it was turned into a film in 1975, starring Tim Curry and Susan Sarandon.

The cult classic celebrated its 30th birthday in 2003 and toured the UK led by pop star Jonathan Wilkes.