The Rocky Horror Show visits the Midlands multiple times this spring, as part of its latest UK tour. The production features Jackie Clune, perhaps best known for her role on Motherland, alongside numerous stage, screen and radio appearances. Jackie plays the Narrator - a role which requires quick thinking and sharp wit, as it often involves fielding heckled lines from the show's enthusiastic audience.

What's On spoke to Jackie to find out more...

The Rocky Horror Show is something of a phenomenon… How would you describe the show to someone who’s never seen it?

When I first got the job, I'd never seen it - I'd seen the film, obviously - but the night we first started, I went to watch it, and I was completely gobsmacked at how mad it was! It’s the story of Brad and Janet, who ended up in a creepy mansion that's run by a transvestite alien. Everyone learns a lot about life and love in that creepy mansion. I describe it as ‘kinky church’, because the audience is very much a congregation, very much a part of the action. They play a key role - heckling, shouting things out, dressing up… It's an incredible night out, with an extremely silly story, and some very beautiful music. The songs are incredible. As the narrator, I don't get to sing in the show, but I'm always backstage belting them out, because I love them so much.

It's very audience-inclusive. I think we lack opportunities to be in a group of people having a good time, that feels really inclusive. It’s silly, the songs are brilliant, it's timeless - and because people feel so involved in it, they feel a sense of ownership of it. 

How does a live show compare with other types of performance? 

It's my favourite thing. I've been really lucky in the last few years, I've done quite a lot of television and film. I liked it a lot, but it's totally different - you feel like you're working in a vacuum. In live theatre, it's so immediate - anything can happen, and you have to be on your toes. I like that, it keeps you alert. There's nothing like it - the experience of live theatre is unique every night, even though it's the same show.

Playing the narrator is such a buzz, because I don't know what they're going to shout at me. I have to be hyper-vigilant, so I can come back at them, and make sure that I win - I want to be on top! That keeps me on my toes. 

And how do you prepare for that audience interaction?

There are some standard shout-outs that generally always happen, and then there are some things that can randomly happen - and you have to be prepared for both. I like to try and keep it topical, so for example when Liz Truss was prime minister, I used to do a little bit about her, when I first started doing Rocky. Obviously I wouldn't do that now, because she's not relevant anymore… I prepare the topical stuff a little bit. I like to do something that's about the local area that changes wherever we are - and there are some things that always get a laugh, that you use pretty much everywhere… Normally, I ask the theatre crew, because they're always the best at giving me the local lowdown. I'll ask ‘Who do you hate? Who's your nearest rival? Or, Who do you think is stupid?’ 

Your career has taken you across different media - TV, radio, musicals - do you have a moment that you’re particularly proud of - a highlight?

Every job has its own highlights. Being in Motherland was great, I'd say that's probably my favorite TV job. An Agatha Christie that I filmed last summer (Towards Zero) is coming out on Sundays on BBC iPlayer, and that was fun, to play a housekeeper in the 1930s. The international tour of Mamma Mia, where I played the lead, that was great - and also I did an all-female Shakespeare trilogy in London at the Donmar Warehouse, which was really groundbreaking. It was huge to play Julius Caesar, as a woman in my 40s.

Do you have any routines that help get you through the run?

I love to do a crossword backstage - in the wardrobe department of Rocky, the guy that used to run the wardrobe had a little book of crosswords in between scenes. I would sit with him doing a quick crossword, and singing along. You get to have a lot of fun backstage. There's a whole show that goes on behind the curtains, that nobody sees. I'm quite laid back, so I don't get too nervous. I think it's just fun, and we're lucky to have a job that we love. I tend to just take it as it comes.

I like to go out for a drink in a nice local bar after the show, and then in the daytime I try to see whatever there is to see in that local area... I've played at the Alex a couple of times before - years ago I was in Nine to Five: The Musical there. We're so lucky in the UK. I really wish that there was more investment in theatres - the buildings and companies - because it can be the lifeblood of a place. I don't think we cherish them enough.

And finally - as the Narrator, are you envious of the rest of the cast’s costumes? 

Absolutely not! I'll be 60 at the end of this year - I can barely believe that. I can't walk in heels anymore, and your legs just don't look so good in flats. So no, I'll keep my trousers on, thank you very much!

The Rocky Horror Show visits Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre from Mon 17 until Sat 22 March, Shrewsbury's Theatre Severn from Mon 7 until Sat 12 April, and Stoke-on-Trent's Regent Theatre from Mon 5 until Sat 10 May.