In the run-up to the Rocky Horror Picture Show’s 40th anniversary, writer and star Richard O’Brien will get Kent doing the Time Warp again this weekend. Chris Price reports.

I shall be the conservatively attired one – poured into fishnets, modestly covered with a tutu.”

You certainly can’t call Richard O’Brien shy, can you?

The former presenter of Channel 4’s Crystal Maze was speaking ahead of his appearance this weekend at an open-air screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show – the musical he wrote back in 1973.

The show was such a success that within two years it had gone from the West End to the cinema screen. Directed by Jim Sharman – who co-wrote the screenplay with Richard and directed the stage show – the film is still in limited release nearly 37 years after its premiere, making it the longest-running theatrical release in film history.

A parody of the horror B-movies, it stars Tim Curry and Susan Sarandon and follows newly engaged couple Brad Majors (Barry Bostwick) and Janet Weiss (Sarandon) who find themselves swept into the world of Dr Frank-N-Furter (Curry), a self-proclaimed “Sweet Transvestite” from Transsexual, Transylvania.

Richard even makes an appearance himself in the movie, as the handyman servant Riff Raff.

Consulting the promotional material from Leeds Castle and open-air cinema company Luna Cinema, the 70-year-old eccentric makes it clear he is looking forward to the screening – which will be Richard’s only public appearance of the year.

“I am very much excited about seeing the Luna Cinema’s screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show movie at Leeds Castle. A ‘real’ castle back down the road a bit – now that would really get Brad going.

“Against this stunning back-drop we are allowed to watch the movie up on a really big screen almost like a ‘drive-in-movie’ event and – yes, there’s more – we are encouraged to dress delightfully for the occasion. Heels are very handy if you are standing at the back.”

These days, Richard cuts a strange figure, even from the one who spontaneously played his harmonica on screen as presenter of the Crystal Maze in the early 1990s – a show that still often comes top of all-time game show polls.

He does not have a mobile phone and does not like to be contacted directly – “eccentric celebrities” he says by way of excuse.

Richard describes himself as Queen of the Tranned, referring not only to the Rocky Horror Show, but to his own gender. He says he is transgender or a third gender and has been quoted as saying “there is a continuum between male and female. Some are hard-wired one way or another, I’m in between.”

So it will surely be quite a sight when he kicks off a promised mass rendition of the Time Warp when he appears at Leeds Castle.

“This wonderful evening of fun and frivolity, unfolding in this exotic location will make the perfect early birthday party to celebrate 40 years of frock and roll,” he said. “I look forward to seeing you there.”

So are the Luna Cinema, who have pulled off a tremendous coup by getting Richard along to Leeds Castle.

Managing director of Luna Cinema, George Wood from Deal, said: “As soon as we announced Richard’s appearance, the phone hasn’t stopped ringing and tickets are flying out of the box office.

“We were just excited about screening such a cult classic on a big screen in such an incredible venue as Leeds Castle, but to have Richard there in person will add a whole new dimension.”

It certainly will if he is wearing those fishnets and tutu.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is shown at Leeds Castle on a Luna Cinema open-air screen on Friday, August 10. Gates 6pm, entertainment from 7pm and film starts at 8.30pm. Rated 12. Tickets £15. Box office 0844 858 6767.

The Luna Cinema’s other Kent dates

Rochester Castle: Friday, August 3, Dirty Dancing

Hall Place, Bexley: Wednesday, August 8, Grease

Rochester Castle: Saturday, August 11, Back to the Future

Margate Beach: Tuesday, August 14, Film TBA

Margate Beach: Tuesday, August 28, Film TBA

Margate Beach: Tuesday, September 4, Film TBA

Danson House, Bexley: Wednesday, August 5, The Artist

More details atwww.thelunacinema.com