The Rocky Horror Show was originally an offbeat musical performed in a disused cinema in the 1970s. The setting suited the spirit of the piece which was inspired by classic horror, sci-fi movies of the 50s and Rock ‘n’ Roll

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The story is loosely based on the Frankenstein story, and features a couple who, returning from a wedding, are stranded by a puncture in a storm. They take refuge at the nearby residence of a scientist and find themselves involved in an experience which changes the lives of all involved

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The musical became a film which didn’t do much box office until an American cinema started showing it as a ‘late night double feature’ with the Mel Brooks classic ‘Young Frankenstein’, after which it became a cult.

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Although British audiences, brought up on Pantomimes, were used to audience involvement,(and it is more common-place nowadays with juke-box musicals), at the time, a production where the audience could be involved through dressing up as the characters, a ‘heckle-script’ and use of props – newspapers, water-pistols and toilet roles, etc- at key moments - was a novelty. (It’s also what puts some theatres and cinemas off hosting the show !)

 

This year (2024) the Show is celebrating its 50th anniversary and is currently (September) back in the West End, after which it will tour. The Show rarely reaches the Maidstone & Medway area (Chatham never recovered from its last visit in the 1980s), therefore your potential ‘local’ locations are Brighton, Bromley and Dartford (also Canterbury occasionally). A full list of locations and dates can usually be found at  http://rockyhorror.co.uk/

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Don’t dream it, be it in this selection of outfits inspired by the Show

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