It's Astounding! NZ Post Stamps To Celebrate Kiwi Richard O’Brien’s Iconic Rocky Horror Show

This May NZ Post is recognising NZ Music month by shining a light over at the Frankenstein place. Four new stamps will celebrate over 50 years of iconic rock’n’roll musical The Rocky Horror Show.

Debuting in London’s Theatre Upstairs at Royal Court in June 1973, the first run of British-New Zealander Richard O’Brien’s satirical tribute to B movies, science fiction and horror moved to several other locations in London before it closed in 1980. A 1975 film adaptation helped to launch it into cult status, and New Zealanders got to see the show for the first time in July 1978, with regular productions touring the country in the following decades.

“Obviously, we’re shivering with anticipation! Rocky Horror has a special place in New Zealand’s creative history, and we’re thrilled to honour its legacy and status as a global cult hit in the official stamp programme” NZ Post’s Head of Collectables Antony Harris says.

Born in the United Kingdom, Richard O’Brien moved to New Zealand at the age of 10 and spent his formative years in Tauranga and Hamilton. In 2004, a statue of Rocky Horror character Riff Raff, who O’Brien debuted, was erected to honour Hamilton’s influence on O’Brien’s oeuvre.

Harris said the stamps feature high-impact black-and-white artwork with some recognisable pops of red.

“The stamps are based on officially licensed Rocky Horror Show artwork, with a unique interpretation by Wellington designer and musician Chris Jones.”

Jones says it’s been an honour and a challenge to try and do justice to Richard O’Brien’s iconic characters and songs inside four very small frames.

“What’s not to love about Rocky Horror from a visual perspective? It’s an absolute feast. I’ve loved getting lost in the world of Brad, Janet and Frank more than I probably should have, and being reminded of just what a genius tongue-in-cheek comment on society the show makes.”

“Rocky's such a brilliant, zany collection of ideas and visuals with a long and proud history, and I’m very happy to be contributing to that."

The stamps can be purchased on the NZ Post Collectables website or at selected PostShops within New Zealand – with an issue date of 7 May 2025.

Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa NZ Music Month is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025. Find out more about what’s happening with New Zealand music at https://nzmusic.org.nz/.

Visit collectables.nzpost.co.nz/rockyhorror to view the full collection.

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