The 50th birthday of the legendary smash hit musical The Rocky Horror Show will be celebrated at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking from July 17 to 22.

Richard O’Brien’s show opened at the Royal Court Theatre in London in June 1973 and has become the longest continuously running contemporary musical anywhere in the world.

It has been seen by 30 million people in 30 countries and translated into 20 languages.

Producer Howard Panter said: “Rocky Horror has always been a show I loved, since its earliest days in the Kings Road. Richard O’Brien and I are delighted this non-stop party continues to thrill audiences across the world, and we look forward to the next 50 years.”

Richard O’Brien said: “Back in the 1970s when someone asked me to entertain the Christmas staff party at the EMI film studios, and I turned up with a song called Science Fiction Double Feature, who would have known this was the germ of the idea to turn into today what is The Rocky Horror Show.

“To be celebrating 50 years is beyond my wildest expectations, from the humble beginnings back in 1973 at the Royal Court Theatre in London. The fact that The Rocky Horror Show continues to delight audiences as it tours the UK 50 years on is simply thrilling.”

For tickets, priced from £13, visit www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-rocky-horror-show/new-victoria-theatre/