Rocky Horror Tribute ShowOpening Date: May 3, 2006
Closing Date: May 3, 2006 Air date: Oct 14, 2008 Medium: DVD Where to watch: DVD (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from this link) |
Stage Production Notes
Written by Richard O’Brien and Richard Hartley, The Rocky Horror Show began life in 1973 at the 50-seat Theatre Upstairs at the Royal Court Theatre in London. Put together in three weeks, and expected to run for just as long, the in-your-face show quickly became a cult phenomenon.
The production starred Tim Curry as Dr. Frank-n-Furter, Julie Covington as Janet, Christopher Malcolm as Brad, and Richard O’Brien as Riff-Raff.
Rocky Horror continued to play at successively larger houses until it transferred to the West End, playing at the Comedy Theatre (now the Harold Pinter Theatre) from April 6, 1979 until September 13, 1980.
The show had a very brief run on Broadway in 1975, playing for just 45 performances.
Rocky Horror has toured extensively around the world, and has been performed in over 30 countries.
A film adaptation, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, was released in 1975 and starred members of the original cast, along with American actors Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick. The film was made in six weeks. Although deemed a commercial flop, the film didn’t take long to achieve its own cult status, spawning resplendent midnight screenings complete with intensive audience participation. Composer Richard Hartley has been quoted as saying that the audience participation developed as a result of the long and “boring” nature of the film.
For the 40th anniversary, a special gala performance, Rocky Horror Show Live, was staged. The gala was filmed and broadcast across the UK and Europe. Although not officially available, the show was briefly available on YouTube.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show continues to be performed around the world.
Written by Richard O’Brien and Richard Hartley, The Rocky Horror Show began life in 1973 at the 50-seat Theatre Upstairs at the Royal Court Theatre in London. Put together in three weeks, and expected to run for just as long, the in-your-face show quickly became a cult phenomenon.
The production starred Tim Curry as Dr. Frank-n-Furter, Julie Covington as Janet, Christopher Malcolm as Brad, and Richard O’Brien as Riff-Raff.
Rocky Horror continued to play at successively larger houses until it transferred to the West End, playing at the Comedy Theatre (now the Harold Pinter Theatre) from April 6, 1979 until September 13, 1980.
The show had a very brief run on Broadway in 1975, playing for just 45 performances.
Rocky Horror has toured extensively around the world, and has been performed in over 30 countries.
A film adaptation, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, was released in 1975 and starred members of the original cast, along with American actors Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick. The film was made in six weeks. Although deemed a commercial flop, the film didn’t take long to achieve its own cult status, spawning resplendent midnight screenings complete with intensive audience participation. Composer Richard Hartley has been quoted as saying that the audience participation developed as a result of the long and “boring” nature of the film.
For the 40th anniversary, a special gala performance, Rocky Horror Show Live, was staged. The gala was filmed and broadcast across the UK and Europe. Although not officially available, the show was briefly available on YouTube.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show continues to be performed around the world.
Filmed Production Notes
In honor of the Royal Court Theatre’s 50th anniversary in 2006, the theatre conducted a poll of audiences’ favorite shows. Rocky Horror won the poll, and was re-staged in a special one-night-only benefit.
Although Rocky Horror had originally been produced in the smaller Upstairs Theatre, the concert was staged in the Main Theatre. Ticket prices ranged from £100 - £350, and all sales were donated to Amnesty International. The performers all donated their time for the performance.
The concert was filmed live by 5 different cameras.
Kultur International Films released the concert on DVD in the United States on October 14, 2008, and in the UK on November 10, 2008. The DVD has received mixed reviews, and is ultimately summed up as “one for the fans.”
The Rocky Horror Tribute Show is widely available on DVD (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from this link).
In honor of the Royal Court Theatre’s 50th anniversary in 2006, the theatre conducted a poll of audiences’ favorite shows. Rocky Horror won the poll, and was re-staged in a special one-night-only benefit.
Although Rocky Horror had originally been produced in the smaller Upstairs Theatre, the concert was staged in the Main Theatre. Ticket prices ranged from £100 - £350, and all sales were donated to Amnesty International. The performers all donated their time for the performance.
The concert was filmed live by 5 different cameras.
Kultur International Films released the concert on DVD in the United States on October 14, 2008, and in the UK on November 10, 2008. The DVD has received mixed reviews, and is ultimately summed up as “one for the fans.”
The Rocky Horror Tribute Show is widely available on DVD (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from this link).
Rocky Horror Tribute Show PRODUCTION CREDITS
Theatre: Royal Court Theatre, London
Producer: Simon Flind, Michelle Lothering
Book, Music and Lyrics: Richard O’Brien
Director: Christopher Luscombe, Film: Robin Lough
Musical Director: Mark Warman
Vocal Director: Annie Skates
Orchestrations: Richard Hartley
Dance arrangements and incidental music:
Choreography: Jenny Arnold
Scenic and Costume Design: Janet Bird
Lighting Design: Nick Richings
Sound Design: Gareth Owen
Stage Manager: Duane Harewood, Diane Leach
Cast:
Gary Amers, Michael Ball, Christopher Biggins, Adriann Edmondson, Stephen Gately, Joanna Farrell, Amy Field, Anthony Head, Sophie Lawrence, Julian Littman, Little Nell, Patricia Quinn, Ben Richards, Kraig Thornber, Toyah Wilcox
Narrators: Richard O’Brien, Tony Slattery, Robin Cousins, Rayner Bourton, Steve Pemberton, Jamie Theakston
Singers: Annie Skates, Emma Kershaw, David Combes, James Spilling
Theatre: Royal Court Theatre, London
Producer: Simon Flind, Michelle Lothering
Book, Music and Lyrics: Richard O’Brien
Director: Christopher Luscombe, Film: Robin Lough
Musical Director: Mark Warman
Vocal Director: Annie Skates
Orchestrations: Richard Hartley
Dance arrangements and incidental music:
Choreography: Jenny Arnold
Scenic and Costume Design: Janet Bird
Lighting Design: Nick Richings
Sound Design: Gareth Owen
Stage Manager: Duane Harewood, Diane Leach
Cast:
Gary Amers, Michael Ball, Christopher Biggins, Adriann Edmondson, Stephen Gately, Joanna Farrell, Amy Field, Anthony Head, Sophie Lawrence, Julian Littman, Little Nell, Patricia Quinn, Ben Richards, Kraig Thornber, Toyah Wilcox
Narrators: Richard O’Brien, Tony Slattery, Robin Cousins, Rayner Bourton, Steve Pemberton, Jamie Theakston
Singers: Annie Skates, Emma Kershaw, David Combes, James Spilling
Sources
- Katie Abbott, “How we made: The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” The Guardian (March 4, 2013)
- Ben Beaumont-Thomas, “Stephen Fry, Mel Giedroyc and Emma Bunton to appear in Rocky Horror Show,” The Guardian (Aug 13, 2015)
- Mark Brown, “Rocky Horror returns,” The Guardian (May 4, 2006)
- Mark Brown, “Richard O'Brien returns to Rocky Horror Show for West End run,” The Guardian (July 31, 2015)
- Andrew Gans, “The Rocky Horror Tribute Show, with Anthony Head and Michael Ball, Due on DVD Oct. 14.” Playbill (Oct 1, 2008)
- Bill Gibron, “The Rocky Horror Tribute Show - Richard O’Brien, Royal Court Theatre,” DVDTalk (Oct 14, 2008)
- Jessica Kahn, “Fans Continue with Halloween Campaign for DVD of UK's THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW LIVE Tour,” BroadwayWorld.com (Oct 28, 2015)
- Stefan Kyriazis, “Rocky Horror gala will star Stephen Fry, Emma Bunton and GBBO's Mel Giedroyc,” Express (Aug 13, 2015)
- KEITH STASKIEWICZ, “Rocky Horror Picture Show cast reunites for EW,” Entertainment Weekly (Oct 7, 2015)
- West End Frame, “The Rocky Horror Show gala to be broadcast on Sky Arts!,” West End Frame (Oct 19, 2015)
- Karen Woodham, “Rocky Horror Live Could There Be A DVD Release?,” Blazing Minds (Oct 1, 2015)
Websites
- Rockypedia, "History of the RHS," Accessed via: https://web.archive.org/web/20121027224819/http://www.rockypedia.org/History_of_the_RHS
- Time Warp, “The Rocky Horror Tribute Show,” Accessed via: http://www.timewarp.org.uk/royalcourt/
- Time Warp, “The Rocky Horror Tribute Show - DVD release,” Accessed via: http://www.timewarp.org.uk/royalcourt/dvd/index.htm
Written by Luisa Lyons (March, 2018)