The nicest guy in showbiz entranced.
Matt Suddain
from a few schools to being something that was on most schools’ curriculum. … Curricula.’’ Agreed. ‘‘… And eventually it was done professionally. And it was only when it started to get rave reviews in the papers that we rushed up to Edinburgh where it was on. That production really got the whole Joseph thing going. And then it went slowly worldwide and became a mega-musical.’’
Mega hardly covers it. The show’s professional stagings have grossed him many millions, and it’s been performed by more than 20,000 schools and amateur groups worldwide. Sir Tim hasn’t seen the new production, though he’s sure it’s up to scratch. He is, though, prepared to offer rave reviews of New Zealand. ‘‘I went out there with Elaine Page and Tommy Korberg for a production of Chess. And I was invited out by the New Zealand Cricket … Federation?’’ ‘‘I want to say ‘board’?’’ ‘‘Yes, the New Zealand Cricket Board. And I said a few words at their centenary celebrations. I must go out again, it’s such a fantastic place. I did see The Rocky Horror Picture Show in Auckland in 1985.’’
‘‘There’s a city an hour or so south of Auckland called Hamilton. Richard O’Brien used to see sci-fi double features at a cinema there, which is where he got the idea for the show.’’