Richard O’Brien is set to adapt his much maligned  Rocky Horror Picture Show follow up Shock Treatment into a new stage production to premiere at London’s King’s Head Theatre in April 2015. Speaking of the news creator O’Brien said

“Shock Treatment has been waiting patiently in the wings for a stage premiere since the film was released in 1981. Just as Rocky began life upstairs at the Royal Court, it seems a perfect fit for Shock Treatment to start its stage life in the effervescent atmosphere of the astounding King’s Head Theatre.”

The original film released in 1981 was a critical and commercial disaster, failing to gain wide release or the cult classic status of O’Briens Rocky Horror Picture Show. The sequel once again features hapless couple Brad and Janet, this time caught up in a sinister 24h tv gameshow that aims to imprison them in an insane asylum. The  film failed to connect to fans perhaps mostly because it featured few of the characters from the original and lost most its main stars like Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Meat Loaf and Tim Curry. 

It will be interesting to see how O’Brien updates the show for the stage and whether it resonates more with a contemporary audience all too familiar with the concept of reality television which the original film ominously predicted.