Well.....It's That Time of the Year Again!!01:57 Oct 28 2010
Times Read: 709
Showing in my area this Saturday night. I remember people dressing up and yelling at the screen throwing toilet paper, squirting mustard, and splashing water balloons.....
For those of you who has no idea what I am talking about, let me refer you to the:
RHPS Virgin's Guide
VIRGIN - In the common world, this usually refers to a person who has not engaged in sexual relations. In the ROCKY HORROR world, this word refers to the many unfortunate people who have never experienced THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (RHPS) in a theater with an audience and a live cast. Seeing it on home video (Blu-ray, DVD, VHS, Netflix Instant, etc.) or on TV doesn't count!
You came to this page because you are hopefully going to consider attending a showing of Rocky Horror in a theater.
If you've already seen the movie by itself on TV or home video and wondered what all the fuss was about, read on. If you haven't seen the movie on TV or home video - GREAT! The more surprised you are on your first time, the more fun it is.
Rocky Horror is the first and only true audience partici-(SAY IT!)-pation movie. People yell back lines at the screen during the extended pauses between dialogue, dress up in costume and act out the film, and throw props various times during the film. The audience participation phenomenon was observed as early as the film's first run in 1975 (when it bombed during limited engagements in 7 of 8 cities), and was later re-released as a midnight movie where the audience participation really began to flourish. And by the way, for the "gore sensitive", Rocky Horror is NOT a horror film. It is a rock-musical send-up of old science-fiction and horror films.
Enough history! You are interested in going, so here's what you really need to know.
First, the only thing you really need to bring your first time out in order to have fun is a sense of humor, and money for admission (and food at the nearest 24-hour diner afterwards.) Of course, being surrounded by 10-15 of your friends is also a good thing. You should dress in whatever makes YOU feel comfortable, but also does not violate any local standards (this usually means nudity is out.) Speaking of violating laws and norms of society, it is usually best to go to RHPS sober the first time. Not only will you be more in-tune to pick up all the clever things going on around you, some theaters will not admit those people who look drunk - what theater manager wants to clean up after a drunk at 2:30 a.m.?
But hey, what about the props and audience participation lines and dressing up in costume? Well, no one expects you to know much of anything your first time out. While audience participation is mandatory to keep the show alive, it is not mandatory that everyone participate, every time. Virgins are not expected to know a damn thing (just like in sex.)
If you really want to bring props, check with your local theater and ask what props are not allowed. The safest ones to bring are rice (banned at some, but not most theaters), toast (unbuttered), toilet paper and a deck of cards. A newspaper may help keep you from getting wet, but water is banned at many theaters. Watch everyone else to figure out when to throw these items. A prop list is available on this website.
Oh, and if you need to know one AP line, there is one that is almost universal to every theater, that you can use multiple times. Whenever you hear the name "Brad Majors", yell "ASSHOLE", okay? An important note here: AP is NOT fixed from theater to theater and night to night. If you feel an new line coming on, YELL IT! A big part of keeping the show fresh is creating new lines with topical humor. (i.e. "Is Jessica Simpson a real dildo?" film: "YES!")
Hmmmm... sounds interesting. I am not going to be targeted for some humiliation because I am a virgin, right? Maybe. Usually, theaters will have some sort of virgin ritual which almost always only includes 2 virgins. Since at any one time, an audience can consist of 25%-50% virgins, it is not likely that you will be chosen for this harmless ritual (well, usually harmless, it varies by theater!) If it looks like you are about to be picked, the best thing to do is point to a friend of the same sex and mouth to whoever (whomever?) is looking at you that he or she is a "virgin" (the soon to be ex-friend that you are pointing at.) Once you have completed an entire showing of Rocky in a theater, they can not ask you to participate in this ritual... you only have to worry about this once. (And once you see it, sometimes you actually WISH you were picked!)
Now get off your butt, check the showtimes list and find out where to see Rocky (and don't rent the damn thing again until you do see it.)
REMEMBER: Rocky Horror is like sex, you can only have one first time so make the most of it.
What do you need to bring:
Rice
Newspapers
Water Pistols
Candles/Flashlights
Rubber Gloves
Noisemakers
Confetti
Toilet Paper
Toast
Party Hat
Bell
Cards
Hot Dogs and Prunes
Fun at RHPS WITHOUT Annoying Other People There:
The difference between a true RHPS fan and someone just out for a rowdy time can be seen in their manners and etiquette. Here are some guidelines that should be deemed necessary by anyone looking to perpetuate our experiences of absolute pleasure.
The throwing of rice, toilet paper, water, etc. is part of the fun. It is not meant to harm people, ruin someone's make-up or costume, or cause damage to the theater.
Never make fun of someone for "dressing up" - especially if their costume or make-up is not exact. The point is that their heart is in it and this might discourage them or others from ever returning in costume and that's what this cult's all about, isn't it?
If you portray a certain character in your theater or its performing group, don't get angry or jealous if someone else comes dressed as that character. Remember that the movie and its characters are not your exclusive property. When you think about it, any resentment is hypocritical to your own "dressing up".
Respect the wishes of the theater and its management. Vandalism and the breaking of rules might not only lead to your ejection, but to the closing of the film. This would only be spoiling it for everyone.
If visitors from other theaters or areas comes to visit, don't try to "shout them down". Respect the fact that they might yell different "lines". Why, you might even find some new ones more preferable to your own.
Calling Brad an "asshole" and "neck lines" to the criminologist are funny in their proper place, but should not be yelled every time you see these characters' faces. It does get boring and monotonous.
"LET'S ALL DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN!"
COMMENTS
-