From Fishnets To Newspapers: How To Prepare For Your First Live 'Rocky Horror Picture Show'

TV & Film

Apr 28

NOTE: Please check with local venues on what the policy is for bringing items as not all venues are the same.

It’s that time of year again! No, it’s not Halloween.

Let’s be realistic, you don’t need to wait for Halloween to go to a live performance screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. As an example, one theatre in Ottawa, Canada has screenings of Rocky Horror with a live shadowcast at least once a month on average.

For those new to the game, a Rocky Horror shadowcast performance is a special thing. It means that, while the movie is playing on the big screen, a cast of costumed actors will be acting out scenes from the movie in the space in front of the screen, including Frank n’ Furter in the signature fishnets. Shadowcast performances also usually go hand-in-hand with audience participation, in other words, you’re going to interact with the audience, the movie, and the actors throughout.

And to do that, you’re going to need some supplies.

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THE LIST

Whether this is your first time seeing the movie at all, your first time doing a live performance, or you are a seasoned veteran, you’re going to need the following items in every case.

Rice

You need the rice so you can throw it following the wedding scene at the beginning of the movie. When the bride and groom exit the church and the on-screen guests start throwing rice, you throw rice along with them. Pro Tip: Don’t specifically throw rice at the performers.

Newspapers

You need the newspaper for the scene where Brad and Janet get caught in a rainstorm. When Janet covers her head with a newspaper, you do the same.

Water Pistol

Simultaneous to the newspapers, audience members can squirt water pistols and/or spray bottles to simulate the rainstorm.

Lights

During the song “Over at the Frankenstein Place,” there’s a verse, “There’s a light.” When that verse plays, light up your light source and wave it around. Pro tip: While you can use any light source you wish, remember to be respectful of policies about things like open flames.

Rubber Gloves

During Frank-N-Furter’s ‘creation speech,’ he snaps his rubber gloves three times; later, they get pulled off his hands. Snap your own gloves while syncing the sound up with what’s on screen.

Noisemakers

At the end of the creation speech, celebrate with the on-screen Transylvanians by making some noise!

Confetti

During the scene where Rocky and Frank-N-Furter head into the bedroom, match the Transylvanians by throwing some confetti!

Toilet Paper

When Brad cries out “Great Scott!” as his old teacher Dr. Scott enters the lab, throw some toilet paper. Preferably Scott brand.

Toast

During the dinner scene, when Frank proposes a toast, audience members throw toast in the air instead of raising a glass! Pro tip: Dry Melba toast is probably the most convenient form of toast for this bit.

Party Hat

Likewise during the dinner scene, when Frank puts his party hat on, you should do the same. Pro tip: The best way to wear the hat is with a side tilt.

Bell

When the song “Planet Schmanet Janet” plays, ring your bell when you hear the line “Did you hear a bell ring?”

Cards

During Frank-N-Furter’s grand performance of “I’m going home,” there’s a line that goes “Cards for sorrow, cards for pain.” Throw some cards when you hear that. Pro tip: Playing cards are best.

In addition to the props, if you are a Rocky Horror Virgin, meaning you’ve never been to a shadow cast performance, said cast might ask you to come up and be made an example of along with other RH virgins. As an example, the Absent Friends shadow cast who perform at the Mayfair Theatre will line up and make you walk the line in front of them, where:

You will get a big “V” drawn on your chest in lipstick
Your butt will get slapped by Frank-N-Furter with a riding crop
at the end of the line, you will be either slapped in the face or asked to kiss a… phallic appendage.

Now…

LET THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW BEGIN!!

NOTE: Please check with local venues on what the policy is for bringing items as not all venues are the same.

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