HORROR, comedy, and timeless musical classics are rolling into Bromley for an experience that is more like a “night out” than going to the theatre.

The Darling Buds of May favourite Philip Franks is swapping Sunday night viewing for daring science-fiction stand-up in his role as the Narrator in the 40th anniversary tour of Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show.

The veteran actor and director is looking forward to the “naughty” musical swinging into the Churchill Theatre aisles, but hopes the “curse of Bromley” has been lifted - where he previously directed a “dramatic” Noises Off.

Speaking of the world-wide hit - which charts the story of a couple stumbling on a transvestite scientist and his creation Rocky Horror - the north Londoner told News Shopper: “It is a cross between a musical, a karaoke, and a stand-up comedy – all three things I have never done before.

“It is great fun though.

“It is not like going to the National. It is quite a night out.”

Famous for playing tax inspector Cedric ‘Charley’ Charlton in The Darling Buds of May, the 56-year-old is returning to Bromley - where the phrase “break a leg” gained new meaning during his directing of Noises Off.

He said: “Hopefully there won’t be any accidents this time.

"An actress was run over and had her leg broken on the opening night of Noises Off so her understudy had to go on with no preparation.

“It was very dramatic and hopefully the curse of Bromley will be lifted!”

The Heartbeat star will be performing alongside Strictly Come Dancing finalist Danj Harmer and Eastenders and Hollyoaks’ actor Sam Attwater in the rock ‘n’ roll favourite which was made into cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show in 1974.

He was first drawn to the spectacle as a schoolboy and, as narrator, leads a typically outrageously dressed audience through The Time Warp and is mercilessly heckled in return.

“I first saw it when I was at school. It seemed the most naughty, antiestablishment thing you could do.

“Playing the Narrator was terrifying to start off with. The first night you listen to all the audience roaring.

“They always think of something new. They love it if you answer back – my challenge is to keep it fresh.

“And to remember that they are not shouting because they hate you but because they want to be part of it.

“It is like a great big party and in order to achieve that it’s got to be as tight as a drum.

“I do still get scared every night but that is a good thing – I have been doing this for so many years – to stand behind the curtain and think that is great.”

It is the first time Mr Franks has ventured into musicals and the experience has whet his appetite to direct one.

To any theatregoers who might be shy of the adventure, he urged: “Just come and see it!

I would have been the person who wouldn’t go and see this show but now I really recommend it to anyone. It is a pantomime for adults.”

The Rocky Horror Show will be showing at Bromley's Churchill Theatre from May 27 to June 1.

Tickets range from £10 to £35 with further discounts available for ATG Theatre Card Holders and Millennium Club Members.

To book online and for more information visit atgtickets.com/rockyhorror