IT IS NOT too much of an exaggeration to say The Rocky Horror Show changed Jason Donovan’s life.
When he first starred as Frank-N-Furter in the anarchic musical 25 years ago, he met stage manager, Angela Malloch.
“I’d be backstage waiting to go on,” he recalls, “and I’d get chatting to Ange.”
Romance followed, then the relationship stalled, until Angela discovered she was pregnant.
“If the relationship had any chance of working, she told me, and if I was going to have any involvement in the life of our child, I would have to give up the self-indulgent hedonistic lifestyle of the 90s and take greater control of my life,” says Jason. “And I did.”
Jason and Angela married in 2008 and they now have three children – Jemma, 24, who is an actor; 23-year-old Zac, a TV producer in Australia; and Molly, 13, who is still at school.
Their dad, in the meantime, graduated from TV star (as Scott in long-running Australian soap Neighbours), to chart-topping pop fame and a string of successful stage roles, including the original Joseph in Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, drag artist Mitzi in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and the demon barber of Fleet Street in Sweeney Todd.
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It is Dr Frank-N-Furter who occupies a special place in his heart, however. The Rocky Horror Show is Richard O'Brien’s humorous tribute to sci-fi and horror B movies. It tells the story of a newly engaged, clean-cut couple who end up at the home of mad scientist, Dr Frank-N-Furter, and chaos ensues.
By its 50th anniversary tour last year, the production had been performed in 20 different languages and seen by 30 million people globally.
“One of the reasons I love Rocky is because it’s a short show,” grins Jason. “It says everything it needs to say and nothing more. There’s no unnecessary padding. It means nobody gets bored and you leave them wanting more.”
Climbing into fishnet stockings and high heels seven times a week is “very easy,” he adds.
“I put on the costume and there’s Frank all over again,” explains Jason. “I always dreamed of fronting a rock band and this is about as close as I’ve got. When I put on those high heels, I become that rock ‘n’ roll star. It makes me feel powerful, tall, in charge.
“And audiences love it. As I look out from the stage, I see a beautiful landscape of people wearing outrageous costumes. It’s not hard to see why: in many ways, Rocky is panto for adults. The costumes are just as much a part of the show as the characters and the music.”
He does spend a bit more time in physio, 25 years on, he laughs.
“I’m in my mid-50s,” he sighs. “I’m aware of having to look after myself.
“In a nutshell, I’m a fan. I love the show; I love the music; I love the character.”
Jason also loves Glasgow, a city in which he has performed several times over the years.
“Glasgow is a great city,” he says, enthusiastically.
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“I’ve played there many times and audiences are so up for it. It’s been a while since I’ve done Rocky in Glasgow - 1998, I think it was.
“Wonderful to know that we are coming back 25 years later, and over Halloween, which will be special.”
Jason’s favourite part of Glasgow is the leafy West End, he says.
“The fantastic gardens, the West End, walking along the river and tasting all the exciting food choices - Glasgow has come a long way over the years and the people are just extra special,” he says. “Can’t wait.”
The tour takes in Glasgow's Pavilion Theatre from October 28 until November 2 (although audiences take note: Jason will not be performing in the role on the opening night) and it is a long one, but he is not fazed.
“On tour, I wake up a little later; there are no domestic chores to tackle – no trimming the ivy or doing the washing,” he laughs. “And I’m a seasoned professional when it comes to locating any M&S or Waitrose.
“I do try and get home at weekends, though, and not agree to more than three or four weeks away at a stretch. But if I want to play Frank – and I do – I’ve got to travel. It comes with the territory.”
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