URI’s Gender and Sexuality Center screens “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” as a bonding event among the community. PHOTO CREDIT: Maddie Bataille
If you don’t know what “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is, or have never gotten to experience a showing for yourself, you may want to.
On Friday, Oct. 29, the University of Rhode Island’s Gender and Sexuality Center hosted a showing of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” performed by RKO Army. It was also my first time going to the event. I was never sure exactly what it was, but had seen references to the iconic film in other media and pop culture, like in “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” and “That ’70s Show.”
If there is one thing I learned from the experience, it is the importance of the community behind this film.
“[‘Rocky Horror’ has] a very cult film following that is meant to take taboo topics and turn them satirical,” said Jessica Spalding, a student staff member at the GSC.
Fans will go see this show dressed up as characters, already knowing all the lines, ready to shout out codified witty comments to the screen as the story unfolds.
Because “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is traditionally screened with a shadow cast, or a group of people acting along on stage, the nature of the film is interactive, according to Spalding.
During the show, the audience will sing or dance along, one of the most famous dances being the “Time Warp.” The audience also gets the chance to use props along with the film. On Friday, RKO Army was selling prop bags with what is typically used during the show for audience members to get involved.
An example of this would be when the audience puts on birthday hats during the scene of Rocky Horror’s birthday. Another popular one would be to throw a piece of toast at the screen when a toast is made. Other items included in the prop bags Spalding mentioned were toilet paper rolls, newspaper and a deck of cards.
The interaction between the shadow cast, audience members and the film screening is what makes this experience so unique. A really important reasoning behind why this film is so iconic for so many people is the community it bonds. Because this film was released in 1975, the topics and themes behind the silliness are meant to provide a space of self-expression, often giving meaning to people’s lives, and many of them go to these performances as much as they can.
“I’m glad I finally saw the movie,” junior Rachel Benz said. “I would want to make this a tradition of mine.”
While the event by nature is interactive, the GSC, as well as RKO Army, took precautions to be as safe as possible.
Spalding mentioned that in order to stay safe everyone was required to wear masks and sign in at the contact tracing table. She also mentioned that while the shadow staff was not required to wear masks during their performance, they were all fully vaccinated and able to present a negative COVID-19 test.
Additionally, the show altered some of its traditions with the audience. One of them being that the cast stayed on stage, rather than going into the audience. The show also typically has traditions that involve new audience members to metaphorically “lose their virginity” for their first time seeing the show. They explained typically they would have everyone who is new go on stage, however this time the audience stayed at their seats.
Every year, the GSC hosts the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” for free so students can come experience this and bond as a community. GSC Director Annie Russell warmly welcomed back audiences and performers alike after having to take a break last year due to the pandemic.
As for my first experience attending the “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” I can definitely say, it was something I couldn’t have expected. Before the show I felt as though the event was a “secret society” that to understand, I would have to attend. That truly is what it is like. As many depictions and stories you may hear, if you are at all interested, I suggest seeking out a showing for yourself. I look forward to getting to know the show better and continue to go to more showings throughout the years to come.