This summer I received a copy of a memoir written by a man who had been a member of a small band that was part of the original stage production of “The Rocky Horror Show.” Martin Fitzgibbons was hired as drummer for the band because he could play “quietly” having played in jazz combos.

Martin’s part in the RHS came about because he knew well-known musical director Richard Hartley. Hartley called Martin saying “I’ve got this musical at the Royal Court Theater …” Martin said he asked Hartley, “It isn’t about God is it?” Martin explained, “That year there was the ‘Sound of Music,’ ‘Jesus Christ Superstar,’ and ‘Godspell.’ Richard said ‘No worries’ and then did his best to describe the show to me. It was £20 a week, but in 1973 you could get by.”

The original show was performed. It was in the Theater Upstairs of the Royal Court Theater in London. The Theater Upstairs had 63 seats, a small area for a stage — with a ramp, and a small area near the “stage” for the five-member band. Richard O’Brien (Riff Raff in the play and the film) wrote the book and musical score during a time he was unemployed — interesting what some out of work creatives do, isn’t it? 

The band was cloaked behind a gauzy drape through which they could see audience reaction. “Put yourself in my place,” Martin said during a phone interview. “I’d never done theater before ... It’s opening night ... you see this ramp and then Tim (Curry) comes strutting down that ramp (as Dr. Frank-N-Furter) in high heels singing ‘Sweet Transvestite!’ This was 1973. People of all ages were in the audience – and no one got up and left. And they kept coming night after night after night. My best memories are of the shows we did in that small room.”

Martin stayed with the stage show for two years, and played on the original cast soundtrack LP recorded over one weekend and released in ‘73. “All of us instinctively knew we were a part of something special,” added Martin. “I’ve never seen the film and I do not plan to. Watching the show from behind the curtain was fascinating. The ‘Time Warp’ made me smile and laugh. Everyone got involved with the ‘Time Warp,’ including the criminologist/narrator, which brought the house down.”

Martin recalled anyone who was anyone wanted to be there in that small theater space. Among the celebrities were Lauren Bacall (a particular fave of Martin’s), Mick and Bianca Jagger, David Bowie, Rudolph Nureyev, Vincent Price … it’s a long list!

When the film was released here in the U.S. at the UA Westwood in Los Angeles on Sept. 26, 1975 as the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” actors from the play continued in their stage roles — Curry as Frank, Patricia Quinn/Magenta, Richard O’Brien/Riff Raff, and Nell Campbell as Columbia.

Portraying the other roles were Susan Sarandon (Janet Weiss), Barry Bostwick (Brad Majors), Meatloaf (Eddie), Peter Hinwood (Rocky), Charles Gray as the criminologist, and Jonathan Adams as Dr. Everett Scott.

And a few years back, Cupacity in Damariscotta screened RHPS in that back parking lot on the river – with a shadow cast. Shadow cast? Yeah, fans of the film/experience dress as their fave character and act out their part. At Cupacity people were cast by owner Susan Murphy who also created RHPS cocktails like the “Frank” and the “Time Warp.” Susan also put prop bags that were part of the ticket price of $10 per person. Prop bags? Props are one of the two forms of audience participation in addition to the “talk backs.” Among them are rice (at a wedding), squirt guns and paper hats (rain scene), Scott toilet paper (thrown in response to the phrase “Great Scott!”), playing cards (thrown as Frank sings “cards for sorrow, cards for pain”), etc. 

Boothbay Harbor residents Chris and Gretchen Armstead were jazzed to hear about the Cupacity event and wanted to share the experience with their 13-year-old daughter, Imij. But they wanted her to see it with them first. 

Said Imij of that first viewing, “It seemed pretty normal until they got to the castle and then it got really confusing. (pause) I was kind of annoyed with Brad because he couldn’t sing. I love musicals and it annoys me when the cast can’t sing. But, it made sense after a while.” 

Imij is well-known in Midcoast Maine for her performance chops, having grown up singing and dancing her way from childhood to teen years with the Y Arts program (led by multi-talented performer Emily Moore Mirabile). 

The family went to see the show at Cupacity dressed as fave characters – Imij was Magenta (“the housekeeper”). The following year (2022) she was a member of the shadow cast, but as Columbia (who has a fabulous tap dancing number up in the lab). But Imij was a bit disappointed the actors didn’t know how to do the Time Warp or any choreography. 

“They did the Time Warp with disco moves and other different things … not the way it was supposed to be,” Imij recalled.

Yes, so many memories of going to the midnight screenings of “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Had to be at midnight cos the theaters were a bit of a mess in the end! Ahhh, to see RHPS on the big screen was a treat, wasn’t it? And, like the Armstead family, I still watch it on Halloween, or Halloween Eve (in my case).

Well, hold on to your noisemakers, white gloves, and red lipstick my fellow RHPS fans because …

You'll be able to see the film Saturday, Oct. 19 at The Waldo Theatre in Waldoboro. Executive Director Susan Hodder has been wanting and waiting to show the beloved classic (and sing-a-long) and the time is right! 

Recommended for ages 16 and over, tickets are $10 online. No outside food, beverages, or participation bags. The Waldo will have participation bags for sale for $5 at the box office. 

“Don’t dream it, be it!” Brush up on your Time Warp choreography, audience responses and start getting the clothing you’ll need to attend dressed as your favorite character. For more on this “cult classic” visit https://www.rockyhorror.com. I’ll leave you with a link to the opening song, “Science Fiction, Double Feature” (https://youtu.be/I2znSLUji9k?si=NKnvgtuqAeYUTTKD)