Luke Evans has discussed how embracing a challenging role in 'The Rocky Horror Show' significantly contributed to his sense of body confidence. The 47-year-old actor shared that performing as Frank-N-Furter for six months, in costume including fishnets, a jockstrap, and heels, was a transformative experience.
"That feels such a strange thing to say when I'm talking about a character that wears fishnet stockings, heels, a thong, a jockstrap, a corset, a harness, a wig and drag makeup," Evans stated. "But doing this in front of over a thousand people every night – so that's a few hundred thousand people now – has been such a self-asserting, amazing thing for my sense of confidence."
Evans, who often portrays masculine-presenting action characters, found the role particularly meaningful as a gay man. He described the experience as "like therapy" and "liberating," believing it sent a strong message to the audience about comfort with oneself and stepping outside one's comfort zone.
His performance in 'The Rocky Horror Show' earned him his first Tony Award nomination and is now concluding. Evans is set to appear next in the ITV drama 'The Party,' which he describes as a narrative encompassing "lies, sexuality, death, deceit, corruption and finding your authentic self."
'The Party,' based on Elizabeth Day's 2017 novel, centers on Martin Gilmour, a political journalist attending the extravagant 40th birthday of his best friend, Conservative politician Ben Fitzmaurice, played by Tom Cullen. Evans portrays a weary anti-hero, introduced in a scene involving police interrogation and blood. Through flashbacks, the series will unveil a history of secrets and repressed emotions culminating in a disastrous event.
Evans noted that the drama delves into themes of politics, class, the British social hierarchy, wealth, social climbing, deception, sexuality, and self-discovery. He also commented on his on-screen relationship with Cullen, stating that despite their differing sexual orientations, they aimed to portray a believable and passionate connection between their characters. "We both knew that we wanted this to feel beautiful and passionate and tragic and real," Evans said of their collaboration.