“It's just a jump to the left. And not a step to the right…”
OK, Sechelt, it’s time to brush up on your Time Warp dance moves, because Raven’s Cry Theatre is bringing the Rocky Horror Picture Show to the big screen, Oct. 26.
Since it’s release 49-years ago, the film has become a cult classic, with audience members dressing as their favourite characters and participating by throwing props, including rice and toilet paper, using water guns to reenact the rainstorm scene, dancing, singing and shouting key phrases as the movie unfolds.
Kevin McGarry, who with wife Jennifer McGarry, took over operation of the 274-seat theatre last July, says he is fully aware of what a spectacle a showing of the film can create.
“Our goal ultimately is to create an annual Rocky Horror Picture Show celebration,” says McGarry. “So, we're kind of trying to pull out all the stops and do everything we can in a short period of time for this year and then build off it year after year after year.”
The film follows the story of “Brad and Janet,” a newly engaged couple whose car breaks down in an isolated area during an epic rain storm, so they’re forced to seek shelter at the bizarre residence of Dr. Frank-n-Furter, a “sweet transvestite from transsexual Transylvania,” where gender nonconformity is the norm.
“We will be supplying all of the props. So, when they get there, they'll receive a gift bag with rubber gloves and water pistols and cards and toast and rice and bells and flashlights and everything to fully participate,” says McGarry. “I want everybody to feel free and comfortable. We'll have some drinks going, as well as our food and concessions.”
McGarry says the usual toilet paper rolls will be replaced with white streamer rolls, so can be “hurled anywhere.” Dance instructions will also be given prior to the start of the show. McGarry adds there will be a pre-show party and everyone is encouraged to show up in costume, but he asks that they please leave their own props and paraphernalia at home. The show is open to adults 19 and older. He notes theatre manager Michelle Newski has been instrumental in helping to organize the event.
“We want interaction and we want it to be crazy and we’re going to sacrifice the cleanliness of the theatre to make this as exciting as possible.”
The bar opens at 6 and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. with a host and house cast on hand to direct the audience and offer instructions to newcomers experiencing the film -- and all that goes along with it -- live for the first time. McGarry recently posted on Facebook that they were looking for a host for the evening and he was surprised by the response.
“We had the idea and I said to my wife and my manager, ‘Guys, what do you think about doing this? We know nothing about it — and we don't — but there’s people out there that do this,'” says McGarry. “So, I just put this quick little post up to see if anybody would be interested.”
Besides the dozens of enthusiastic comments, McGarry received four serious replies and ended their search with local drag troupe Pine ‘N’ Sandy Drag, which was how drag king Davis Gay got involved. Davis Gay will be co-hosting the Rocky Horror Picture Show extravaganza, with drag king Van Deweller.
“We worked with them before with shows at the theatre,” says McGarry, “and really got along with them and really like the energy they bring, so just thought that's the fit you need for Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
Davis Gay, whose drag name was inspired by “Davis Bay,” has lived on the Coast since 2018, and helped form the drag troupe in 2021. And while he has not previously hosted a Rocky Horror Picture Show event, he’s watched the movie many times, including at a similar live event last year.
“I think the first time I watched the movie was in Grade 8 at a school sleepover, so that was pretty wild at that age to see,” says Davis Gay. “I think it was maybe one of my first exposures to queer culture, so I remember that night very vividly, so I kind of want to help other people coming into the show for the first time have a really memorable first experience with it.”
He also wants to prepare theatre goers about what to expect prior to the start of the movie.
“I'm going to do a little bit of facilitating around the dance. I'm going to help people understand that this is a very experiential film experience,” he says. “There's going to be shouting, there's going to be stuff being thrown. You might get wet. To kind of help people be prepared for that, because my first experience, there was no host or anybody guiding us through, so it was just stuff flying through the air and people shouting. And I was like, what's happening?”
Davis Gay also wants to put the film into perspective for the audience because a lot has changed in society since it was first released almost 50 years ago. He explains some of the common words and phrases historically shouted at key points during the film, are considered outdated now.
“But it’s is a cult classic and why a lot of, especially queer and trans, folks have gravitated towards this film, and how it has been, historically, a way for people to find their community,” says Davis Gay. “It will be a great day to be gay.”
He also wants to encourage everyone to attend in costume — either inspired by the movie or not — and there will be prizes for best dressed.
Tickets for the Rocky Horror Picture Show at Raven’s Cry Theatre are on sale now and are expected to sell out. Tickets for just the movie are $10 and the prop bags are an extra $20.
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