By Kiera McGuire
On Friday night, I had the pleasure of watching “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” put on by Wooster Activities Crew (WAC) for Wooster students. “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” an independent film directed by Jim Sharman, details the journey of two young lovers, Brad Majors and Janet Weiss, as they find themselves in the mansion of transvestite scientist Frank-N-Furter amidst a storm. Inside the mansion they meet lots of unconventional people, most of them aliens, including Riff Raff (a handyman), Eddie (a singer), Magenta (a maid) and Columbia (a human woman). As the musical progresses, Brad and Janet realize that the mansion isn’t what they originally thought but can’t help but be pulled into the inner workings of Frank-N-Furter’s mind and actions as he reveals his brand-new creation: the perfect man, Rocky Horror, whom he intends to be in a relationship with. However, Rocky Horror gets a mind of his own and develops feelings for Janet, confusing Frank-N-Furter as he countlessly attempts to hold onto his power over the newcomers. The film offers lots of talk about sex and sexuality as Brad and Janet stray away from their normative relationship and experiment with the aliens. By the end of the film, Magenta and Riff Raff reveal they, along with Frank, are aliens, and kill Frank as they get ready to go home to their planet.
One of the reasons watching this film was such a fun experience was because the audience knew exactly how to prepare and enjoy themselves. The film entertained the audience with a variety of songs, including the popular opener “Science Fiction/Double Feature,” crowd-pleasing “Dammit Janet” and powerhouse “Sweet Transvestite.” Each song encouraged the crowd to sing along with the music or shout at the screen with vigor and rapture as the music entwined with the storyline.
Many came dressed up in fishnets and lace corsets, wearing eyeliner and lipstick to match those of the characters on screen. Many also simultaneously called out phrases and words when something happened on screen, making it an interactive experience. For example, whenever the criminologist/narrator came on screen, people would ask him questions about his neck, or lack thereof, and be pleased when he would speak back in a way that sounded like he answered their questions. Another popular example was when Frank-N-Furter said “That’s no way to behave on your first day out” to Rocky, prompting the audience to shout, “of the closet!”
Another exciting part of this viewing experience was receiving props to interact with the movie. WAC provided audience members with a glow stick, a piece of bread, a mini water gun, a newspaper and a party hat, all of which coincided with the movie. My favorite prop was the bread, as the audience threw it at the screen when Frank-N-Furter had dinner with his guests and said, “A toast.” It was exciting to see with many who share a love for the horror musical. This movie has been shamed in the past for being so open in displaying LGBTQ characters, but that’s why it’s critical for the movie to continue being displayed and enjoyed. Some of the themes in the film are very relevant and important to review and understand today. I’m so glad I was able to watch the film, and I implore everyone to experience it in the future!