W L INTERVIEW
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 .”
All right but what about the wear and tear on his back ? He laughs . “ I spend a lot more time in physio these days , something I ’ ve put in as an appendix in my contract ! I ’ m in my mid-50s . I ’ m aware of having to look after myself .”
With regular exercise ? “ Yes , but not obsessively so . Mental health and physical fitness go hand-in-hand for me . This life is a long journey , you hope . My dad gave me the tool of a good work ethic linked to physical activity .
“ I don ’ t go to the gym : I ’ m not interested in lifting weights . But I swim . I ride my bike . I stretch . I steam . I do those things more or less on a daily basis . In fact , they ’ ve become a borderline addiction . And , of course , doing the show is a work-out in itself : I put a lot of energy into my performance .”
He ’ s also sensible about his eating regime . “ Within reason but then I ’ m lucky . I seem to burn a lot of fat naturally . Trouble is , you get to my age and you ’ re in sniper ’ s alley : increasingly , you ’ re dodging a lot of bullets . There ’ s a bit of arthritis here , deteriorating eyesight there . If I take off my glasses , I can ’ t see whether the bottle contains shampoo or conditioner !” he laughs .
“ Although my vocals were never my strongest point back in the day , since Joseph , I have worked really hard and through 30 years of strengthening my vocal cords – they ’ re a muscle like anything else – I ’ ve become a better singer . Rocky now plays to my strengths , less musical theatre , more edgy , a little bit rock ‘ n ’ roll . More me really !”
Touring at any age is demanding and Jason is about to embark on a fairly punishing schedule .
He makes light of it . “ On tour , I wake up a little later ; there are no domestic chores to tackle – no trimming the ivy or doing the washing . 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 .
And after Rocky ? “ I ’ ve got my Doin ’ Fine 25 tour – that ’ s 35 concerts across the UK and Ireland . It ’ s a greatest hits show , a celebration of 35 years of work .”
For now , though , all his concentration is on bringing Frank-N- Furter back to life , both for his own satisfaction and that of his inexhaustible audience . “ I ’ ve reached a point of great contentment ,” says Jason . “ As long as I have my family and my health , as long as I have a good life / work balance , I ’ m happy . I like to think I work to live , not the other way around .”
* For tickets and venues : RockyHorror . co . uk
34 wirrallife . com