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There was drama outside Chester's Storyhouse last night (Monday, September 16) as the highly anticipated Rocky Horror Show opened in the city for its first night.

The iconic rock ‘n’ roll musical which has been performed worldwide for the past 45 years and contains themes including homosexuality and cross-dressing is one of the most popular shows in the history of theatre.

But not everyone was pleased to see the raunchy production performed at Storyhouse.

Before the show began, a group of religious protesters set up camp opposite the theatre on Hunter Street, brandishing placards bearing Bible quotes and shouting at audience members that they had 'dirty minds' as they arrived.

One sign read: "Be sure your sin will find you out."

However, cast member Joanne Clifton who plays the lead role of Janet in the show saw the funny side, tweeting a photo of herself in front of the protesters and writing: ""With the protesters! Apparently, according to them we're all gonna die by Friday because we're in the Rocky Horror Show!"

Earlier this month a pastor in Buckinghamshire handed a letter of protest into the Wycombe Swan theatre in High Wycombe when the show toured there, branding it 'a corruption of public decency'.

(Image: S***Chester)

Pastor Peter Simpson, minister of Penn Free Methodist Church, was unhappy that the show focuses on themes including gender fluidity and homosexuality, according to local reports.

And last night was not the first time a theatre production in Chester has ruffled some feathers - the nationally acclaimed genital origami show Puppetry of the Penis was met with outrage when it was performed at the Gateway Theatre back in January 2004.

Members of the Zion Tabernacle Protestant Evangelical Church in Chester blasted the sell-out show as 'vile' as they protested outside the building, claiming the show was 'unholy, sexual and offensive to God'.

After last night's show, Storyhouse tweeted in response to the protesters: "To everyone coming to The Rocky Horror Show tonight and this week at Storyhouse - Storyhouse is and always will be a safe space. We celebrate and support LGBTQ+ communities - always. Let's have a FABULOUS night & week. To those who are protesting - Let's Do The Time Warp Again."

Someone commented on Twitter: "What a fantastic marketing campaign. Now everyone knows about the show. Thanks."

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