Auckland, Recent Zealand – Nell Campbell, the original Columbia in The Rocky Horror Demonstrate, is preparing to return to the world of Transylvania as guest of honour at the opening night of the West Finish production’s Auckland season on February 26th. The visit marks a continuation of the 50th-anniversary celebrations for the cult classic, which began with a 30-date US tour last year.
Campbell, who originated the role of Columbia in the 1973 stage production and reprised it in the 1975 film adaptation, recalls a swift transition into the role. “I pretty much threw off my apron,” she said, referencing her previous job, “and well, the rest is history.”
The 50th anniversary tour saw Campbell reunite with fellow cast members Barry Bostwick (Brad Majors) and Patricia Quinn (Magenta). The tour featured fan events, including costume competitions judged by Campbell, Q&A sessions, and screenings of the film accompanied by shadow casts performing the iconic scenes. A similar tour is scheduled to begin in the UK in April.
The Auckland appearance comes as Richard O’Brien, the creator of The Rocky Horror Show and the actor who played Riff Raff, is also in New Zealand. O’Brien was in Hamilton on Valentine’s Day for a party celebrating the return of his bronze statue to Embassy Park, where he once worked as a barber and frequented horror movie screenings.
Campbell’s career extends beyond Rocky Horror. She owned the legendary nightclub Nell’s in Manhattan, operated two New York restaurants, and made her Broadway debut in 2003 alongside Antonio Banderas in a revival of the musical Nine. She also has a one-woman show, All’s Nell that Ends Nell, that she hopes to bring to New Zealand.
The enduring appeal of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, now considered the longest-running film in history, is particularly resonant in the current climate, according to Campbell. “It’s a licence to express yourself freely and be proud of who you are,” she explained. “Whether it’s recognising your sexuality or lost souls realising that not everyone has to be conventional. It just seems to open people up – and they can fly.”
The Auckland production features Kristian Lavercombe as The Narrator, an actor who holds the world record for the most performances in the show, with over 2600 appearances, and Stephen Webb as Frank N. Furter.
Campbell, who returned to Australia in 2005 with her daughter Tilly Campbell, a DJ now based in New York, remains in contact with many of her former co-stars, including Tim Curry and Susan Sarandon. She mourns the loss of Meatloaf, who played Columbia’s love interest and was killed off by Frank-N-Furter in the film, who died from Covid-19 in 2022.
The West End production of The Rocky Horror Show will run at The Civic in Auckland from February 26th to March 8th, before touring to Christchurch (March 11th-14th) and Wellington (March 18th-29th).