It all started for us with a voice from the past. Emma, an old friend from the Prince Charles cinema days of Charming Underclothes got in touch to tell us the Gate Cinema was screening The Rocky Horror Picture Show and she was organising a performing group to shadow cast the movie. She asked Stephanie and myself if we could consider putting on the old space suits once more and joining them on stage. How could we refuse?

The cinema itself is one of the oldest in the country and in a word stunning. It's style really suited the movie and there was even a stage in front of the screen. It is certainly one of the nicest cinemas I have seen Rocky in and suited a performing group really well.

The movie was to be shown on both Saturday and Sunday nights. Monday being the bank holiday made it possible for those wishing to attend the Sunday and get more that a couple of hours sleep before going back to work.

The Saturday night was a little quiet, with only around thirty audience members turning up for the show. However this didn't put the cast off and they gave a wonderful performance. We also managed a couple of pre-shows and I even got to do a number I'd wanted to for ages myself before I introduced the movie. There was the traditional 'ring-around-the-virgins' as well as a costume contest, won by Carol who'd travelled down from Manchester for the show. Runner-up was David W and third place.....well there were only the two of them dressed up!

Sunday night was when the show really came alive. The audience was up to a very respectable number and they were more than enthusiastic for the show. This time around we were more limited on the pre-show time, so it consisted of the worlds fasted costume competition, won by a certain Ed Marlowe, followed by a quick (and I mean quick) sans-microphone introduction to the movie itself.

What was really amazing was the fact that this was the cast's second show, ever. I have watched many performing groups in my time and had been a part of one of the longest running ones in the UK for over eight years, but I can honestly say that this group performed the best debut shows I have seen. The enthusiasm from the cast was contagious and the audience loved every minute of it, many taking the time to say so on their was out of the cinema. Huge compliments to ALL of them and especially to Emma as the driving force and Matt for producing the show.

For an idea of the commitment and work that went into the show click here or the flyer logo (top right) for a pdf to download.

It was a pleasure and honour for Stephanie and I to perform with the cast and we hope that they will be back soon for you all to enjoy.

David Freeman Monday, May 25th, 2009

Images from the Sunday night - Click for larger version   most © Stephanie Freeman 2009 + additional © E.M.