British actress Kate Beckinsale has realised a lifelong ambition by taking on the iconic role of Dr Frank-N-Furter in a special one-off production of The Rocky Horror Show. The 52-year-old star delivered a stunning performance that combined powerful vocals with confident stage presence, while dedicating the show to her mother Judy Loe who passed away in July.
Emotional Dedication to Late Mother
Beckinsale shared an emotional connection to the production through her family history, revealing in an Instagram post that her mother had personal ties to the original star of the role. "My mum went to university with Tim Curry and went to see his opening night at the Royal Court Theatre upstairs nine months pregnant with me," the actress wrote.
The performance held profound significance for Beckinsale, who described the timing as particularly meaningful. She explained that the offer to perform came "the day after my mum's funeral which felt like a double gift" during her period of grief.
Stunning Transformation and Stage Presence
The Underworld star embraced the flamboyant character completely, appearing in fishnet stockings and a basque that showcased her dramatic transformation. Audience members witnessed Beckinsale belt out the musical's biggest hits with impressive vocal range and theatrical flair.
In multiple clips and photographs shared on social media, Beckinsale radiated confidence alongside her co-stars, with the audience responding enthusiastically to her portrayal of the character made famous by Tim Curry, now 79, in the 1975 film adaptation.
Family Support and Personal Connections
The special evening included support from Beckinsale's daughter, Lily Sheen, 26, who watched proudly from the audience. Lily, whom Beckinsale shares with former partner Michael Sheen, has followed her parents into acting with appearances in films including The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent in 2022.
Beckinsale's tribute to her mother Judy Loe comes after she announced the passing earlier this year, describing how her mother died in her arms after "immeasurable suffering" that left the actress "paralysed with grief". While the exact cause of death wasn't confirmed, Beckinsale had previously revealed her mother battled stage four cancer for two years.
The actress expressed deep gratitude to the production team and cast, describing them as "the most extraordinarily kind, welcoming, tender, emotionally intelligent bunch of absolute f*****g freaks" and thanking them for making "Don't dream it, be it" a reality for her, if only for one night.
