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The Rocky Horror Show
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The Rocky Horror Show | |
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| Original Cast Recording | |
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| Music | Richard O'Brien |
| Lyrics | Richard O'Brien |
| Book | Richard O'Brien |
| Productions | 1973 West End 1974 Los Angeles 1974 Sydney 1975 Broadway 2000 Broadway revival 2006 UK Tour |
The Rocky Horror Show is a long-running British stage musical, opening in London on June 19, 1973, adapted in 1975 as the movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show. It was written by Richard O'Brien, and developed by O'Brien in collaboration with Australian theater director Jim Sharman. It came eighth in a BBC Radio 2 listener poll of the "Nation's Number One Essential Musicals".[1]
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Jim Sharman's success with the original Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar led to an invitation to direct the first London stage production, and it was during the London run of Superstar that he met Richard O'Brien, who briefly had a role in the show: he played Herod for just one performance. O'Brien wished to play Herod as Elvis, but quit Superstar when the producers asked him to tap-dance. While unemployed, O'Brien worked on a new rock musical with a rough-draft title of "Rock Horroar." The musical went into rehearsals with the working title "They Came from Denton High," which was changed just before previews at Sharman's suggestion to The Rocky Horror Show. [2]
While working together at the Royal Court's Theatre Upstairs on a production of Sam Shepard's The Unseen Hand, O'Brien played Sharman some of the songs he had written and they began to flesh out the concept for the show. Sharman brought in fellow Australians Nell Campbell (aka 'Little Nell') and longtime production designer Brian Thomson, who had designed his productions of Hair and Superstar. Costume designer Sue Blane and musical director Richard Hartley rounded out the original creative team. Jim Sharman's father and grandfather were tent-show boxing promoters, and his theatrical background influenced the deliberately makeshift look and feel of the original production.
After two previews, The Rocky Horror Show premiered at the 63-seat Theatre Upstairs on June 19, 1973 and ran until July 20, 1973. The theatre was run by the Royal Court as a project space for new work. Veteran stage producer Michael White produced the play. The production was a critical and commercial success and transferred to larger theatres.
The production transferred to the Classic Cinema on Kings Road from August 14, 1973 to October 20, 1973; the 270-seat Classic was run-down and scheduled for demolition. Transferring again to the Kings Road Theatre (a 350-seat converted cinema), the production ran from November 3, 1973 through March 31, 1979 (with many cast changes), until plans for the theatre's demolition prompted another move. The Rocky Horror Show transferred to the 820-seat Comedy Theatre on Panton Street in the West End, the legitimate London theatre district, running from April 6, 1979 until September 13, 1980, closing the play's initial run of 2,960 performances. After occasional productions in the early eighties, the play was revived for the Theatre Royal Hanley tour in 1984, and is still performed regularly in England. [3]
- Act I
The Usherette in a derelict cinema introduces tonight's film in a song ("Science Fiction - Double Feature"), with masked Phantoms providing the backing vocals. After attending the wedding of Betty Munroe and Ralph Hapshatt, Brad Majors confesses his love to Janet Weiss ("Damn It, Janet") and the two become engaged. The Narrator appears to explain that Brad and Janet are leaving Denton to visit Dr. Everett Scott, their former science tutor, while driving into a rainstorm. During the trip their car has a flat tire, and they are forced to walk through the rain to seek a telephone in an old castle ("Over at the Frankenstein Place").
As Brad and Janet arrive, they are greeted by Riff Raff, the hunchbacked handyman, who leaves to fetch his master. The Narrator explains that Brad and Janet are feeling "apprehensive and uneasy," but must accept any help they are offered. While they dry off, Frank-n-Furter, a bisexual mad scientist, arrives. He introduces himself as "a Sweet Transvestite from Transsexual Transylvania" and invites Brad and Janet to his laboratory ("Sweet Transvestite"). Magenta, the maid and Riff Raff's sister, and Columbia, Frank-n-Furter's "groupie," help Riff Raff strip Brad and Janet to their underwear. They speak briefly of an unlucky delivery boy named Eddie before performing the "Time Warp".
Brad and Janet enter the laboratory, where Frank-n-Furter gives them lab coats to wear. Frank-n-Furter announces that he has discovered the secret to life itself. He unveils his creation, a blonde, well-built man named Rocky Horror, who is brought to life. As his bandages are removed, Rocky Horror worries about his predicament ("The Sword of Damocles"). Frank-n-Furter admires Rocky's physique by singing a tribute to muscle builders ("I Can Make You a Man"). A Coca-Cola freezer in the laboratory opens to reveal Eddie, a biker covered in surgical scars, who performs "Hot Patootie - Bless My Soul" for the group before being sent back into the freezer by Frank-n-Furter. Frank tells Rocky that he prefers him to Eddie ("I Can Make You a Man (Reprise)"). Brad and Janet are then ushered to separate bedrooms for the night.
- Act II
The Narrator explains that Brad and Janet may not be quite safe. Janet enjoys Brad's advances in her darkened bedroom before realizing that Frank-n-Furter has tricked her. Frank-n-Furter convinces Janet that pleasure is no crime, and when she asks him to promise not to tell Brad, they resume their lovemaking. The scene changes to Brad's darkened bedroom, where Brad makes love to Janet before discovering that Frank-n-Furter has tricked him. Frank-n-Furter promises not to tell Janet, but as they resume, Riff Raff interrupts on the TV monitor with a message that Rocky Horror has escaped. Janet searches for Brad in the laboratory, and discovers Rocky Horror hiding there. Checking the TV monitor, Janet finds Brad in bed with Frank-n-Furter, and seduces Rocky Horror ("Touch-a-Touch-a-Touch-a-Touch Me"). While searching the TV monitor for Rocky, the rest of the group discovers that Janet is sleeping with him, and Brad becomes hurt and angry ("Once in a While"). Riff Raff then notifies Frank-n-Furter there is another visitor entering the castle: Dr. Everett Scott, the wheelchair-bound science tutor Brad and Janet intended to visit.
Dr. Scott is pushed into the laboratory by Columbia, and Frank-n-Furter accuses him and Brad of trying to investigate his castle. Dr. Scott assures him he has come in search of Eddie, his nephew ("Eddie"). Frank-n-Furter shows the "defrosted" Eddie in a plastic bag and restrains Brad, Janet, and Dr. Scott electronically to the floor when Brad attacks. Dr. Scott explains the potential uses of Frank-n-Furter's sonic transducer, and Frank-n-Furter scolds Janet for sleeping with his creation ("Wise Up Janet Weiss"). The three visitors and Columbia are then drugged by Riff Raff, as is Magenta, who recovers to ask when they will return to Transylvania. Frank-n-Furter rebuffs her and insists on performing a "floor show" with his captive guests.
Columbia, Rocky, Brad and Janet each perform a segment of "Rose Tint My World" for Frank-n-Furter's floor show, dressed in revealing underwear and fishnets. Frank-n-Furter performs "Don't Dream It - Be It" with the help of the other four, enticing them all to give themselves to "absolute pleasure." The cast of the floor show then performs "Wild and Untamed Thing," when they are interrupted by Riff Raff and Magenta, clad in space suits. Riff Raff wields a laser gun and explains they wish to return to their home planet and do not agree with Frank-n-Furter's extreme lifestyle, although he tries to explain himself to them ("I'm Going Home"). Unimpressed, Riff Raff announces that Frank-n-Furter will not be returning with them. Attempting to save Frank-n-Furter, Columbia steps between him and Riff Raff, but she, along with Frank-n-Furter and Rocky, are killed by the laser gun. Dr. Scott commends Riff Raff's actions, and Riff Raff orders the earthlings to leave. As Riff Raff and Magenta rejoice, the castle blasts off to return to the planet Transsexual, in the galaxy of Transylvania.
Dr. Scott, Brad and Janet leave the castle confused and unsure about themselves ("Superheroes"). The Narrator says that the human race is "lost in time, and lost in space- and meaning." As the film ends, The Usherette returns to sing "Science Fiction - Double Feature (Reprise)."
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- Usherette/Magenta: Patricia Quinn
- Janet Weiss: Julie Covington*
- Brad Majors: Christopher Malcolm
- Narrator: Jonathan Adams
- Riff Raff: Richard O'Brien
- Columbia: Little Nell
- Frank-n-Furter: Tim Curry
- Rocky Horror: Rayner Bourton
- Eddie/Dr. Everett Scott: Paddy O'Hagan
- *A common misconception is that Belinda Sinclair originated the role of Janet, as she is featured on the Original London Cast Recording. Julie Covington was the first to play Janet, but, due to an accident early in the run, she left the production and was replaced by Sinclair.
After two previews, The Rocky Horror Show premiered in the USA at The Roxy Theatre, Los Angeles, opening at the 500-seat theatre on March 21, 1974. Director Jim Sharman and many other backstage members came over from London, although Tim Curry was the only member of the cast to reprise his role. Meat Loaf joined the cast here as Eddie/Dr. Scott, Kim Milford as Rocky, Boni Enten as Columbia, and Jamie Donnelly starred as Magenta/Usherette Trixie. (The Usherette was first called "Trixie" at the Roxy.) Bill Miller and Abigale Haness rounded out the cast as Brad and Janet. A recording of this cast is available. Tim Curry and Meat Loaf left the cast in September 1974 to begin recording the soundtrack sessions for the film, replaced respectively by Paul Jabara and Alan Martin. The Rocky Horror Show closed at the Roxy Theatre on January 5, 1975 in preparation for the transfer to Broadway.
The Rocky Horror Show originally played on Broadway in 1975 with the Roxy cast from Los Angeles, except for Graham Jarvis who was initially replaced by William Newman for the first preview but then rehired, and Bruce Scott, who was injured in another play and replaced by author Richard O'Brien himself. Tim Curry and Meat Loaf also rejoined the cast. After three previews, it opened on March 10, 1975 at the 967-seat Belasco Theatre. The critics panned the show and it closed on April 6, 1975 after 45 performances. During one of the early performances on March 14th, 1975 , a sound engineer made a recording of the whole show and until recently, this was thought to be one of the rarest cast albums and indeed the rarest audio relating to Rocky Horror. A digital copy of the recording has been released on RockyMusic.org which was dontated by Justin Carpenter.
The Rocky Horror Show had a longer revival on Broadway from October 2000 to January 2002 and featured Tom Hewitt, Raúl Esparza, rock singer Joan Jett, Sebastian Bach, Dave August (from October 2001 to January 2002), funny lady Lea DeLaria, and Daphne Rubin-Vega of Rent fame. From October 2001 to January 2002, several guest celebrities played the Narrator role normally performed by Dick Cavett, including magicians Penn & Teller, New York Post columnist Cindy Adams, MTV personality Dave Holmes, and talk show host Jerry Springer among others. It is suggested that the revival, like other shows running at the time, closed early because of financial losses during the time after 9/11. The Revival was nominated for the following Tony Awards: Best Actor: Tom Hewitt; Best Costume Designer: David C. Woolard; Best Director: Christopher Ashley; and Best Musical Revival.
The original Australian production of The Rocky Horror Show premiered in Sydney on April 15, 1974, at the New Arts Cinema, Glebe. It was the third major stage show produced by Harry M. Miller, and, like its two predecessors, it was a resounding success. It ran for almost two years, and the production and cast included several key personnel who had worked on both Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar, including Reg Livermore as Frank-n-Furter, Jim Sharman, Brian Thomson and Harry M. Miller. Kate Fitzpatrick starred as Usherette/Magenta, David Cameron as Eddie, and Graham Matters as Rocky. John Paramor and Jane Harders starred as Brad and Janet.
The show was revived in 1981 and was successful enough to continue through most of the decade. Reg Livermore reprised his role of Frank-n-Furter for the 10th anniversary in 1984; that particular production, however, was a flop. It was revived once again in 1992 (as The New Rocky Horror Show) with a million-dollar stage set and a cast full of celebrities, which, like previous productions, continued on tour through most of the decade. A new production has recently been announced, opening early 2008, staring iOTA.
The play has been revived several times, but is much different now than when it was first presented in 1973. The script that is used in productions today has been changed to be very much like the film adaptation The Rocky Horror Picture Show. For example, certain dialogue has been changed to be like the film; the sequence of songs has been rearranged to match the order they appear in the film; and all song titles have been changed to match those in the film. The original script can be found on the net on most Rocky Horror fan-made pages.
The movie has been much more popular in the United States than the theatrical show, revivals of which are mounted periodically without great success. In other countries the stage show has proved a perennial favourite with theatre audiences, and many successful revivals of the show have been mounted. In some places at the stage show, fans dress up as the characters and shout "call-backs" at the stage. For example, whenever the character Brad's name is mentioned by the narrator, the audience shouts "asshole," and similarly shouts "slut" for Janet. Fans also use props at appropriate moments, for example, throwing toast when Frank calls for "a toast," and using water pistols and newspapers during a scene in the rain. Many theatres no longer allow this.[1]
Versions of the show have played well in various other countries, including a New Zealand production that featured, at one time or other, the former prime minister Robert Muldoon (as the compère) and the rock star, Gary Glitter playing the lead.
The Rocky Horror Show (now under the title Richard O'Brien's Rocky Horror Show) completed its latest tour on the 14th of July, 2007, in Woking, England after touring for almost eighteen months. Famous narrators of the current tour have included Michael Aspel, Nigel Planer, Christopher Biggins, Clive Mantle, Russ Abbot, Steve Pemberton, John McArdle, Roger Lloyd-Pack, Ian Lavender, Shaun Williamson, Andy Gray, Jack Ellis, Brian Capron and Russell Grant.
The 2006 cast featured David Bedella as Frank-N-Furter, Suzanne Shaw as Janet, Matthew Cole as Brad, Iain Davey as Riff Raff, Shona White as The Usherette/Magenta, Kay Murphy as Columbia, Julian Essex-Spurrier as Rocky and Nathan Amzi as Eddie/Dr. Scott with Sarah Boulton, Stuart Ellis, Lynden O'Neill and Claire Parrish as the Phantoms. After a Christmas season at the Comedy Theatre, London, the tour continued with several cast changes including Richard Meek as Brad, Sarah Boulton and later Hayley Tamaddon as Janet, Matt Harrop as Riff Raff, Claire Parrish as The Usherette/Magenta, Sarah French-Ellis and later Sarah Boulton as Columbia and Sergio Priftis as Rocky with Lauren Appleby, Erin Carter and Kevin Littlejohn as the Phantoms and Bedella, Amzi and Ellis retaining their original roles.
The 2006 tour cast, accompanied by Roger Lloyd-Pack as the Narrator and author Richard O’Brien, performed "The Time Warp" live in Trafalgar Square on Saturday 22nd July 2006 as part of The Big Dance event and was broadcast on BBC1’s Dancing in the Street.
Directed by Christopher Luscombe and with input from author Richard O'Brien, this tour has been considered a turning point in Rocky Horror history by many of its fans. It turned the show further away from the camp, pantomime feel of earlier tours and revived the darkness of the original production. This tour has also seen more focus being on the action on stage, rather than the participation from the audience. This change has been welcomed by fans and actors alike. Another welcome change is the interpretation of Frank-N-Furter by David Bedella who has presented him not as a camp drag queen, as other actors have done, but as a surprisingly masculine, multi-dimensional character.
The Rocky Horror Show computer game was produced for early 8-bit computers including the Commodore 64, Commodore 128, ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC by the CRL Group PLC in 1985, to mixed reviews. The game involved playing as either Brad or Janet and collecting pieces of the Medusa machine scattered around the castle, in order to free the player's partner from stone and escape the castle before it blasts off. Meanwhile, the other characters in the game could either hinder the player's progress by stealing and hiding their clothes and other objects, or kill the player outright.
The Rocky Interactive Horror Show Game was released in March/April 1999 for the PC by On-Line PLC. Similarly to the earlier CRL game, the player plays as Brad or Janet and must rescue their partner from the castle. Unlike the older computer game, its gameplay was more puzzle-oriented, and benefited from the added detail, graphics, and live video sequences that the PC could provide. Despite this, it was criticised for a clumsy user interface and for using two-dimensional graphics, at a time when most games were using 3D.[2]
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- 1973 Evening Standard Drama Award, Best Musical
- 1973 Plays and Players Award, Best New Musical
- ^ BBC article
- ^ Thomson, Brian, ed. (1979) The Rocky Horror Scrapbook. New York: Star Fleet Productions, Inc. 6.
- ^ Harding, James. (1987) The Rocky Horror Show Book. London: Sidgwick & Jackson Ltd. 101.
- Official UK Rocky Horror fan club
- Official Rocky Horror Show UK Tour web site
- Official Australia RHS web site
- The Rocky Horror Show at The Internet Broadway Database
- RockyShows.net, a calendar of US amateur productions
- The Rocky Horror Show at RockyMusic.org