Shock Treatment, King's Head Theatre

The Rocky Horror Picture Show’s lesser-known sequel, Shock Treatment, is nevertheless just as anarchic, with a far more satirical tone as it takes on reality television as a theme. Though the film failed to dazzle in 1981, this theme now appears eerily prescient and highly topical, well suited to a staged version. Adapted by Richard O’Brien himself, co-writer of both Rocky Horror and the Shock Treatment film, this is the world premiere of the Shock Treatment theatre show.
Shock Treatment: movie to play
The absence of Tim Curry’s career defining role as Doctor Frank N. Furter, as well as different actors for Brad and Janet, hampered the film’s success, but inversely will aid that of the play’s. With bizarre cameos by the likes Barry Humphries, Ruby Wax and Rik Mayall, the film provides the stage actors with much inspiration by no, huge, over-shadowing performances. Bringing Shock Treatment to stage has long been a dream of Richard O’Brien's. Given The Rocky Horror Picture Show began in the upstairs of the Royal Court, O’Brien said it is ‘a perfect fit for Shock Treatment to start its stage life in the effervescent atmosphere of the astounding King's Head Theatre'. With musical numbers just as witty and catchy as the Rocky Horror Picture Show, Shock Treatment is set to become a sleeper cult hit, so catch it while you can in the intimacy of Islington's King's Head Theatre.