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a million light years, (in the 1970s), when I first met my partner Lesley, the
Rocky Horror Show, was playing on stage in the Kings Road Chelsea, (the theatre
is now a cinema). We went to see the show as one of our first 'dates'. Many of
the actors went on to be in the film cast including Richard O'B, Pat Quin, Little
Nell and Tim Curry. (I wish I had a program). The show was the first 'alternative'
stage show we had seen. At this point we were "know nothing" kids from the suburbs,
brought up on Carousel and Christmas panto's. I knew I was a tranny and I wanted
Lesley to know I was a tranny. I
did not pluck up courage at that point but at least her enjoyment of the show,
let me know she was not repulsed by the concept. Our next meeting with Rocky was
in the film 'Fame'. The cool kids take Doris to a late night showing of 'The Rocky
Horror Picture Show'. For some reason I don't think at that time I was aware of
the film. Here were cool NYC kids dressing up and getting up on stage singing
along with the movie. In
the same year, Lesley, me and best mate Chris took a holiday in a surf village
in Cornwall called 'Skewjack'. This was an extraordinary place run by, (ex Pink
Fairies Chris South), where pretty much anything was possible. At night the place
went mad in the disco, followed by a day on beach to sleep off the hangover. One
wet day, Chris offered two choices - trip to a tin mine (again), or a movie on
video (videos were a new invention). "What movie?" - Chris
offered a choice and one was Rocky Horror. (A pirate copy - sorry Richard O'B).
The camp full of teens and twenties watched the film with their jaws on the
floor. The next day it rained again. "Rocky Horror"… Every one wanted to see the
movie again. Me, Lelly and Chris sat at the front with all the props and did the
Fame thing. Friday night at 'Skewjack' was always a fancy dress night. Well you
have never seen so many sweet transvestites. |
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We went to 'Skewjack' every year for 10 years, always on August bank Holiday.
A growing group of friends made this weekend their holiday date too. Every time
Lesley packed more stockings and suspender belts than swimming costumes. On one
occasion we had the full cast and acted out most of the movie. Still in the closet
I was always Riff Raff. Lesley was Magenta. Chris was Frankenfurter.
One
time a big biker joined us as 'Eddie'. As we got ready, (which I remember, meant
drinking lots of cider), big biker, dropped his trousers to show us all his stockings
and suspender belt. Someone called out, "Eddie doesn't wear stockings" - "This
one does" he replied. Some
of the friends we met in Cornwall came to London to university. "They are having
a 'Rocky Horror' night at uni - wana come". About ten of us got ready. For the
very first time I shaved my legs and did the full Frankenfurter. It turned out
that the screening was at the university film club. It was full of earnest young
people with note books, ready to 'study' the movie. We were the only ones dressed
up with our water pistols and newspapers. We sure got some funny looks in the
intermission bar. For
eight years at WayOut we avoided doing anything from Rocky Horror. It seemed too
obvious. However in 2000 I saw the stage show with Jason Donovan. The audience
was wild. It was time to do a tribute at The WayOut Club. We put together props,
scenery and a soundtrack and acted out all the best bits with the whole audience
joining in the 'Time Warp' dance. It was a smash hit night and we have made it
our Halloween week fixture. |
