Wednesday, August 26th, 2026

As well as an updated version of the orignal book The Rocky Horror Show as I remember it there is a new book from Rayner Bourton released in 2026, The Rocky Horror Show Going Global. We've updated the page now with Rob's Review for the new book.

The updated first book is now available on Amazon as both an ebook and paperback Click for Link to Amazon

Signed copies are available via Rayner's website at raynerbourton.com

The Rocky Horror Show: As I Remember It. (Updated for 2025)

Text sent by Rayner........... This 2025 updated version of The Rocky Horror Show, As I Remember it, is my personal retrospective of the original ROCKY HORROR SHOW, which takes you behind the velvet curtains of one of the most iconic and enduring stage shows in history. As the first actor to bring the unforgettable character of Rocky Horror to life, I recount my unique journey as a young, naïve, ambitious, girl chasing, wannabe classical actor, suddenly thrust into the limelight and the world of celebrity, sex and Rock ‘n’ Roll. As a group of young, mostly unknown actors, rehearsing a new show, I tell of the early auditions to the ground-breaking innovations we brought to the stage that have since defined the cult classic.

Through intimate recollections, I share the chaos, creativity, and camaraderie that made Rocky Horror not just a show, but a cultural phenomenon. From the legendary cast and crew to the unexpected moments that changed the direction of the production; this recollection reveals how we created the magic that still resonates with audiences around the world.

Packed with photographs and personal anecdotes of our new found propulsion into cult status The Rocky Horror Show. As I Remember it, is a must-read for fans of the show, theatre enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the wild and wonderful history of the show. Join me as I relive the unforgettable experience that became a revolutionary piece of theatre and an enduring celebration of freedom, individuality, and a little bit of glitter.

The Rocky Horror Show: Going Global by Rayner Bourton

From cult classic to worldwide phenomenon, Rayner Bourton’s extraordinary journey takes centre stage once more in this inspiring sequel to The Rocky Horror Show: As I Remember It.

Propelled by the unexpected fame of originating the role of Rocky, Rayner found his life transformed overnight. What began on a single stage, carried him across continents - into the heart of Japan’s electrifying music scene, onto the stages of New Zealand, and even a performance at the World Rock Festival. Along the way, he performed with Gedo, one of Japan’s number-one chart-topping rock bands, embraced new cultures, and forged cherished connections with people around the globe. Rayner went on to write the first 'jukebox' musical LET THE GOOD STONES ROLL, in celebration of The Rolling Stones; which transferred from the Edinburgh fringe to the West End. He also established the charity TENDIS.

In Going Global, Rayner recounts his remarkable adventures interweaving tales of Rocky Productions with anecdotes of his varied career: being mistaken for Mike Jagger by the KGB whilst travelling through the Soviet Union on the Trans-Siberian Railway when the ‘Iron Curtain’ was still fully drawn, performing and opening Rocky on three continents, experiencing life in different countries, and making his directorial debut with The Rocky Horror Show in New Zealand. With warmth, humour and vivid detail, he reveals how the show didn’t just change his career - it opened doors to a wealth of new opportunities.

Over fifty years on, Rayner remains true Rocky royalty, still celebrated at tribute shows, anniversary productions and by devoted fans worldwide. Going Global is a vibrant, behind-the-scenes memoir of music, travel, fame and fate. Rayner interweaves tales of Rocky Productions with accounts and anecdotes of how being the original Rocky enabled him to further his varied career and travel the World - proof that one iconic role can echo across a lifetime and around the world.

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW: GOING GLOBAL
By Rayner Bourton
Book review by Rob Bagnall

Rayner Bourton's 2009 book, The Rocky Horror Show: As I Remember It, remains an absolutely essential volume for anyone with a genuine interest in the history of this legendary rock 'n' roll musical.

While most devoted Rocky Horror enthusiasts were already familiar with the story of how the show was conceived and initially presented at the Royal Court's Theatre Upstairs in London in June 1973, Rayner's engrossing 2009 memoir put a welcome new spin on the tale by being told from the unique perspective of the show's original Rocky Horror himself.

Bourton's association with The Rocky Horror Show did not end with his departure from that original run however and, as evidenced by this all-new companion volume, there was still plenty more to be told; beginning with the actor reprising his role of the show's title character in the first Japanese tour in 1975 - along with other early U.K. cast members Christopher Malcolm as Brad, Belinda Sinclair as Janet, and Ziggy Byfield as Frank-n-Furter.

In addition to numerous Rocky Horror-related anecdotes, this section of the book often reads like a thoroughly entertaining history lesson; and while the author's detailed experiences of travelling through Cold War era Russia on the famous Trans-Siberian express may not be quite as glamourous or eventful as similarly located James Bond adventures, they are, nonetheless, still fascinating and insightful.
Rayner's recollections of the show's first ever visit to Tokyo include various interesting insights into 1970s Japanese culture; a couple of highlights being his first ever Big Mac (McDonald's not yet being the global fast-food juggernaut it was destined to become over the next few decades) and his first spliff.
It is also revealed that the reason the show's tickets did not initially sell very well in Tokyo was because the producer had probably neglected to go through the Yakuza (essentially the Japanese Mafia), who were involved in every successful business venture. The fact that the production was playing to packed houses by the time it moved to Osaka suggested that this oversight had swiftly been addressed.

The original 1978 New Zealand production of the show is a particular period of Rocky Horror history that I have often wanted to know more about.
However, despite having, in my personal opinion, one of the show's better cast albums, this production rarely gets discussed openly, primarily due to the fact that Frank-n-Furter was portrayed by Gary Glitter; a circumstance that these days is, quite understandably, something of a huge 'elephant in the room'. Quite wisely, the author addresses this 'elephant in the room' (by calling it just that) right away - and even gives readers the option to skip this section of the book if they feel that reading about this particular individual might make them uncomfortable - before sharing his personal experiences and recollections of the production, which also marked his directorial debut, in his usual illuminating and thoroughly appealing manner.
As well as the difficulties of the company being able to find suitable local performers to fill the on-stage roles in 1970s New Zealand, one rather startling revelation is the fact that Richard O'Brien was dead against Rayner directing the show, feeling that the actor's lack of experience in helming a major theatrical production would mean that he was not up to such a colossal challenge. Rayner would eventually prove Richard's fears groundless, as his directorial debut became a critical triumph.

Although known primarily as the original Rocky Horror, an independent production of the show in Chelmsford in 1988 finally found Rayner Bourton stepping into the prestigious high heels and corset to play the much-coveted role of Frank-n-Furter, and the book duly covers this milestone, as well as his memorable appearance in the classic 1981 television adaptation of Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy.

Although not covered in as much depth as the sections on the Japanese and New Zealand productions - in particular I would have loved a more detailed behind-the-scenes account of the star-studded Rocky Horror Tribute Show (which was performed for one night only at the Royal Court Theatre in May 2006) - an overview of Rayner's celebrated appearances at various fan events, anniversary shows and special Rocky Horror performances over the years round off a thoroughly engrossing and extremely entertaining read, and one which belongs on the bookshelf of every true Rocky Horror Show devotee.

As with his first book, Rayner Bourton's incredibly vivid memories and abundant enthusiasm once again make his story a thoroughly engaging and absorbing read. In fact, while that original volume remains indispensable, most fans were already aware of many of the events told in its narrative. This follow-up treads a less familiar path - its details and events being less well known to most fans - making it arguably even more interesting to those with a genuine interest in Rocky Horror history and the cultural international landscape of the 1970s, and I, for one, am extremely grateful to Rayner for sharing these precious memories.

Highly recommended.

Rob Bagnall 2026