Some non-fiction for a change.

For some reason I've become addicted to the Rocky Horror Show. My wife and I, my step daughter and four friends went in 2006. It was good fun and I couldn't wait until it came round again. Next time I'd arrange a big party of people to go.

Each time we go we have shown people the photos and always there are a few that say:

“I've always wanted to go to the Rocky Horror Show." So in 2006 I started to make a mental list.

First on the list were a couple from my historic dance group. Two ladies, one in her thirties and also, surprisingly an older, but very spritely lady. The list had started.

Then there was a family meal with my step daughter and her newly married husband. There was no way he would come but a long term friend of my step daughter, Hazel joined us for the meal.

Somehow the subject of Rocky Horror came up and again:
“I've always wanted to go to the Rocky Horror Show."

So Hazel went on my mental list.

It was all very quiet on the Rocky Horror front. The show went to Australia. Then at the end of 2007 Christine and I were invited by our friend in our writers circle, to a New Years Eve Party.

New Years Eve arrived and off we went. Unfortunately all the other guests were ill so it was just Rosie, Alistair, Christine and me. The chat turned to Rocky Horror and to my delight found we had met a couple of Rocky veterans. It turned out to be a fabulous evening.

Rosie and Alistair went on the list.

Things went quiet for a while with no Rocky Horror Show on anywhere. I checked the Website regularly for news. I found that Sarah of our writer's circle was interested. In 2008 the show went to Germany.

In 2009 some friends had just got married and showed us pictures of the husband to be, on his stag night. He was dressed as Snow White. To top that, next time we saw the couple, I showed them pictures of me dressed as Frank-n-Furter. They replied:
"We've always wanted to go to the Rocky Horror Show."

Mel and Dave went on the list.

Also in 2009 there was news that the show was coming back to the UK. I searched the website but there were to be no local shows. Then in early 2010 the news came that it was coming to the Bristol Hippodrome. My heart beat faster as I spoke to the people on my list. All but my older historic dance friend and Sarah from the writer's circle, could make it. There were eleven of us and I rushed into central Bristol on a cold January day. Soon I was clutching eleven tickets for the 5th July, front row of the Grand Circle.

It was a time of waiting but on Valentine's Day my beloved wife gave me a surprise present. It was a large box about the size of a box of corn flakes. It was a cereal box! I ripped it open and there inside was a pair of stiletto shoe boots, bright red. I got a tape measure.

They were five inches.

"That's for the Rocky Horror," she smiled at me.

On the Monday before the show I realised that I would have to miss my Pilates Class. I told my instructor and she surprised me by saying.

"Have a great time. We've been eight times."

Rocky fans are everywhere.

I had my gear as Frank-n-Furter but Christine wasn't sure what to go as. After a great deal of thought she decided to go as virginal Janet in a wedding guest outfit. Frank-n-Furter was easy compared to this. The first bit went well as we found a perfect blonde wig in a fancy dress shop. For the rest of the outfit we searched high and low culminating in her trying on nine potential dresses in Asda. At last a choice was made for a floral summer dress in pink. But it needed something else and time was running out. On the Saturday before the show we had our granddaughter Lois for a sleepover. We decided to take her to the local Thornbury Carnival.

Behind time we despaired of finding a parking space. We circled the full car park until the miracle happened, of two men leaving their space, just as we approached. Suddenly we had time to spare and we walked slowly towards the parade.

"How about these shops?" I said.

Soon we emerged with the perfect Bolero top to go with the dress. A quick look in a charity shop revealed a wedding hat for just £1.75.

The Carnival was fantastic and the following day Lois was returned to her parents. Christine was busy decorating the hat. A couple of people phoned to confirm they were coming to the show.

The day dawned and after a nondescript morning it was time to get ready. I took all afternoon and the false eyelashes, with Christine's help took a full half hour. About four o'clock, with my face made up, in a totally over the top way, there was a knock at the front door. I hid upstairs.

It was our neighbour Chris whose form I'd countersigned. Christine tried to stall him but he really wanted to see me to clear up a query. I swallowed hard and made my appearance, breathlessly announcing:

"We're going to the Rocky Horror Show."

I think he recoiled a bit, but then we had a relatively normal conversation. I felt totally not normal however.

At last I was ready with an hour to go and Christine only had an hour to get transformed into Janet. She did so brilliantly, but then she's a real woman.

We stepped out of our front door to be greeted by Chris and his wife Sue. I'm sure they were impressed. As I wobbled down our path another neighbour came into view. She was amazed at our transformation.

We parked in Bristol and I tried to strut in the heels. It was difficult as it was downhill. We were accompanied by cries of:

"We know where you are going."

The show was brilliant and our companions looked splendid. Unfortunately my dancing friend was unable to make it but there was a nice surprise when Sarah from our writers circle joined us. She had managed to get a late ticket.

The following day I showed various neighbours our photos. One a lady called Jackie exclaimed:

"I've always wanted to go to the Rocky Horror Show."

I've just started my new list.

Andrew Sherriff, 7th July 2010.