Event: The Kingdom of Bling – Oct/Nov 2024

Andrew Whiteside

4 months ago

Seen by over 30 million people, The Rocky Horror Show is one of the most successful musicals ever. Today, as its 50^th anniversary party continues to have people doing The Time Warp around the world, the show’s creator Richard O’Brien has done a “bit of a mind flip” and penned a new satirical musical, THE KINGDOM OF BLING.

Inspired by the madness of American politics and the ripple effect it has on the rest of the world, the 82-year-old Tauranga-based twisted genius announces the world premiere of “TheCelebration of Kindness Tour” this October, ahead of the chaos of the 5 November election.

He further announces that 100% of all royalties of THE KINGDOM OF BLING will go to the Starship Children’s Hospital in perpetuity.

Starring O’Brien as The Narrator alongside an extraordinary ensemble cast, this cautionary tale has the wacky hallmarks of Rocky Horror while featuring giants, a menacing fox, trolls, and the king of the land – the obnoxious ‘The He’ (guess who?). The musical is backed by a stonking rock band, belting out original songs in a style that made Rocky Horror such a blast.

THE KINGDOM OF BLING is set in “a time of confusion, when so many madly, strange beliefs collide. A time when kindness had been demonised, while crafty blindness wined and dined in a world it had divided”.

THE KINGDOM OF BLING breaks the fourth wall, giving audiences the rare treat of playing along with one of the world’s most celebrated authors and actors whose production has been performed in 20 different languages and been seen by 30 million people globally. As a bonus track, the THE KINGDOM OF BLING tour will feature a second act – a Q&A with O’Brien talking about his life, The Rocky Horror Show, the theatre and inspiration for his latest project.