Luke Evans has discovered that Broadway glamour sometimes comes with an unexpected side of oxygen tanks. The actor recently revealed that his eye-catching costume for The Rocky Horror Show leaves him gasping for breath between musical numbers.
Thankfully, the offstage solution sits only a few steps away. Evans says it helps him power through every performance.
Luke Evans said his elaborate costume leaves him needing extra oxygen between scenes
During an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Evans admitted the corset worn by Dr. Frank-N-Furter presents the biggest challenge in the production. “The corset constricts you,” he explained. “And of course, I’m singing these big rock songs and having to sing big, big notes.”
The actor added that performing energetic choreography several nights each week makes the experience even tougher. “Taking a breath sometimes when you’re bouncing around the stage thinking I’m 22 years old and I’m not is quite a feat,” he joked.
According to PEOPLE, Evans keeps oxygen tanks waiting backstage for especially demanding performances. “In the wings, I have oxygen tanks,” he revealed. “Some nights when it’s really humid… I run off, and they’re dabbing me down [and] I’m taking a big gulp of oxygen.”
The heels, however, tell a different story. Evans surprisingly described the towering footwear as “weirdly” comfortable after weeks of rehearsals. He credited the grips on the soles for helping him confidently navigate the stage.
The Beauty and the Beast star estimated the boots push his height to roughly 6-foot-8. He also laughed about an unexpected fitness bonus, saying, “My legs have never looked better. I can skip leg day now without feeling any guilt.”
Meanwhile, costume designer David I. Reynoso told Broadway.com that many outfits intentionally use inexpensive materials to match the show’s quirky spirit. One costume even features ribbons cut from trash bags to create its distinctive look.
Evans’ demanding performance has already earned major recognition. The Broadway revival opened at Studio 54 in April, and the production collected nine Tony Award nominations. Evans also received his first Tony nomination for portraying Dr. Frank-N-Furter during his Broadway debut.
Although he lost the award to Ragtime star Joshua Henry, Evans continues bringing the iconic character to life through the show’s scheduled run at Studio 54 until November 29.
TELL US – WOULD YOU SURVIVE PERFORMING IN LUKE EVANS’ ROCKY HORROR COSTUME EIGHT TIMES A WEEK?
