Interview: 'It's My Role to Keep Everything Under Control': Actor Nathan Caton on Playing The Narrator in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW

Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show, “the world’s favourite rock n’ roll musical, is currently touring the UK. Recently, we had the chance to talk with Nathan Caton, who is playing the role of The Narrator. We discussed his journey from standup comedy, to becoming a part of The Rocky Horror Show and keeping the audience under control.

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Starting with a bit of a general question, how did you first get started in the world of comedy?

That’s going back! [Laughs] So my first proper attempt at standup comedy was when I was fourteen - it was a talent show at my church. I was mucking about, and they were like, “You know what? You should do some comedy at the talent show.” And I was like, “Fine, whatever, I’ll go and do it.” And I did it and actually loved it! I made jokes about the people in the church, obviously clean, because it's a church! I loved the buzz. I came off stage and everyone was clapping and cheering!

But I didn't really follow up on it, because in my family, comedy isn't a job. It's a hobby - something different for fun. So I knuckled down and did my studies. Then when I was at university studying architecture, I thought, “It’s the summertime, I have nothing to do, I'll go back and try stand up.” So I went to a comedy club in London where I live, did an open spot and just kept on going back! And here I am now, nearly 20 years later, loving it still.

And what made you want to be a part of The Rocky Horror Show?

I gotta be honest - before getting the audition, I didn't even know what The Rocky Horror was! But I got the part and I watched the show on YouTube, the recording, and I was like, “Oh, okay! It's completely different, alien to me. Let's give it a go and see how it is.” I went into this with an open mind site - just chuck it at me! And I'm absolutely loving it. It's so much fun! Honestly, at the start of my career, I would never have thought I'd be in a show with grown men walking around in heels and stockings, but I'm loving it. It’s great.

What was the switch between comedy and theatre like?

It's definitely a different vehicle. There's a different mindset, but there are elements of stand-up that can bring to my role as the Narrator. It really helps the interaction with the audience. I'm a stand-up comedian, so for me, it's like, “Okay, cool, you can heckle whatever you want, but I'm going to come back because I'm a comedian!” I've been doing this for years, so there's definitely crossover and transfer-over skills to go from stand-up to theatre.

So you had been unfamiliar with Rocky Horror Show before joining. For those unfamiliar with the show, can you tell us a bit about it?

It's about a young couple, Brad and Janet. They get stuck when their car breaks down, and they stop at a castle, which is home to Doctor Frank-N-Furter, who is . . . Gosh, how do you describe Frank-N-Furter? A crazy, sex-possessed, experimental doctor who's created his own human being, Rocky. Brad and Janet go on a wild adventure in this castle, finding out about themselves and their sexuality. From there on, it's a celebration of being yourself and of freedom. It sounds cliche, but that's the best way to describe it. It's hard to describe it without saying, “You know what? Come watch the show.” You have to see it to believe it, to really get into it.

And so you're telling this story as the Narrator.

Yes! So I pop in between the scenes - I'm the link between the audience and the cast, so I inform them what's going on. And then the audience, who are heavily involved in the show, shout out certain lines at certain points, which is all fun. It's like they're an extra cast member - they've got their lines that they have to shout out and they always do! They always deliver. As the Narrator, it’s my role to keep everything under control. We have fun, we go crazy, but I chat back to them, and then we head into the action and they see what happens in the story.

So you've been doing Rocky Horror Show since August. What have the shows been like so far?

I love it! It's been great. For me, my role, the audience really do make the show because they bring energy and shout out to us. They're really great and it's a lot of fun to be a part of. Not knowing about it beforehand has probably been a benefit to me because I embraced everything. If I knew what it was, I’d be like, “You have to do this. You have to do that,” whereas now I'm learning as I go, and Rocky Horror is moulding me as a narrator.

How do you balance audience interaction versus keeping control of the narrative?

Luckily for me, the director and the producer have encouraged me to bring my own vibe and flavour to it. As a comedian, I can do a few jokes, but I always come back to the story. If the audience shouts out something, I can have a little callback or two, but I can't be there for twenty minutes doing my own jokes. So get a few jokes out and come back to the story, because at the end of the day, we’re all here for the story.

How did you go about preparing for the role? I can assume it's quite different than doing regular stand-up!

Yeah! We did a lot of rehearsals, which obviously helps. Watching the Rocky Horror Show on YouTube helps as well. Getting a gist of what it's like, and preparing myself for the audience shout-outs and stuff. I'm just writing bits of material that might fit into the show and incorporating elements of my stand-up into the show. But doing a bit of research and watching the show really helps.

So you wrote some of your own material as the role of the Narrator?

Yeah, there's certain points where I have a bit of freedom to make some jokes, be it personal or topical jokes. So I wrote some topical gags that were current at the time to fit into the show.

How does it compare to be on tour with a cast versus when you're touring solo doing stand-up?

It's a lot less lonely! I have people to talk to, which is great. With stand-up, it’s just me, so if the show goes great, yay, but the show goes bad, it’s just you. It's a very lonely place, whereas here, you're part of a team. It's not about you, it's about the whole ensemble, which is different, but it's fun! I'm enjoying this new vehicle, this new method of working.

Do you have any favourite moments from the show?

Oh, gosh, there’s lots! One night I was near the end and normally, I'm joking as the Narrator, but it's one part where I play it very seriously. I'm reading the last bit to wrap up the show, and the line that I was about to say is “Lost in space.” Actually very poignant! And then before I say it, someone shouts out, “What's your favourite TV show?” And then I have to go, “Lost in space.”

[Laughs]

But the thing is that's normally a very serious part of the show. No one ever screams out! So when that person screamed out, I was like, “That's new!” They've got some very random shout-outs sometimes. They come with some stuff where I'm like, “Oh, that’s creative! Okay, cool!” There's so many. Kudos to the audience - they do make the show!

It must be interesting, because it's such a large fan base to be interacting with, especially having not known about it before going in!

They’re lovely! They’ve embraced me with open arms. It’s been really cool and I’m very grateful to the Rocky Horror world for showing me love.

If you could play any other character in the show, who would it be?

Ooh! I will say no one, because the cast are so talented! They sing, they dance . . . I can't do none of that! All I do is walk on stage, try a bit of rubbish for a few minutes and I leave. I'm going to stay in my lane. I know my limitations. I can't sing, I can't dance, so I'm happy being the Narrator. Otherwise, I'll be cheering on from the audience. 

What do you hope audiences take away from The Rocky Horror Show?

I hope they have a lot of fun and I hope they're entertained. At the end of the day, it's a show, so we want to entertain people. We want to make them happy. We want them to leave with a smile on their face. Just enjoy themselves! The Rocky Horror Show is a party - it's fun, it's a celebration. So just have a good time!

And finally, how would you describe the show in one word?

Bonkers. Don't have to think about that! That’s what it is. Bear in mind, this is someone who didn't know what it was, and I'm walking into it like, “What the hell was going on?” Bonkers.

The Rocky Horror Show continues to tour the UK until May 2026. 

Photo Credit: David Freeman

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