Role All White for Richard (by Alison Peachy, Sun or Mirror 1994)
	The crazy world of The Crystal Maze may be behind him, but in The Ink Thief madcap Richard O'Brien has found a role even more eccentric. The trendiest 52-year-old in showbiz dons spooky white makeup and flamboyant gear to play the title role in the new children's drama. The Thief is a mysterious chap who steals ink from books and turns it into a life-giving liquid. The part could have been written specially for O'Brien, the man who created the hugely successful Rocky Horror Show 21 years ago. O'Brien admits that like his new character he is still searching for that extra something in life. He says 'I found playing him fascinating. Like me, he is an incomplete human being who is trying to find himself. He feels that has dealt him an incomplete hand - not a bad hand particularly - and if he could pick up another couple of aces he could probably win the pot.'
Not that O'Brien should complain. The Rocky Horror Show was due to run for five weeks, and 21 years later is still wowing audiences worldwide. Despite his success on The Crystal Maze, which he left last year, he isn't keen to stay in the public eye. 'I don't really want to turn into a television media person. I have even thought of getting out of performing altogether - maybe trying painting or something.' O'Brien, who has three children, thoroughly enjoyed working with youngsters - two 12-year-olds who fight a running battle with the terrible Thief. 'It was tremendous fun.'
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