Rocky Horror Show in Paris Pages

An Absolute Pleasure

Paris Performers Theatre puts on fan favourite show in front of sold-out crowds

By Bailey Zimmer

Photo by: Bailey Zimmer

The Paris Performers Rocky Horror Show is full of erotic nightmares beyond any measure and sensual daydreams to treasure forever. On Friday Oct. 28 and Saturday Oct. 30, Rocky Horror fans old and new alike joined each other to celebrate the cult favourite production at the Paris Fairgrounds. For two hours, fans were immersed in a world of science fiction, sexual awakenings, innuendos and heckling beyond comparison.

“I was trying not to drink at the time they were doing outbursts, it was just too hilarious,” said audience member Trina Lucek. “It was perfectly timed when they did it. ” There are near ritualistic heckles when a cast member says a certain line, nearly all sexual or crude which give in to the culture of the play. Janet and Brad both have special nicknames that are shouted by the audience every time they are mentioned. Janet, while discovering her own sexuality throughout the play, is constantly having her sexual nature pointed out by the audience. Sexuality is explored by many characters through different scenes, which, while advanced in its time, reflects modern views. because of the nature of everyone sleeping with everyone,” said audience member Alex Humphrey.

“Also, the fact that there are explicitly trans characters is buckwild, as well as the one scene where they definitely had sex.

Humphrey commends the actresses and actors who went above and beyond in their performance. Before the performance, crew members dressed in lingerie handed out bags of popcorn for the audience to enjoy and built the excitement of the night.

One audience member was selected from the crowd to be pulled up on stage and be married, a role he took on and mastered in no time. As Brad and Janet went on a journey to find a phone to call home, the rain started to pour and they got soaked, as did the audience when water fell from the ceiling. Throughout the play, audience members were throwing sponges, rolls of toilet paper and playing cards on stage to enhance the Rocky Horror experience. During the more dramatic scenes, glow sticks were seen swaying in the air. “It was so good, they put on such a good show. There was a lot of audience participation,” said Nancy Johnston, an audience member who saw the movie for the first time two days before the show. As she looks around, another audience member Danielle Grundy gives a round of applause to the cleanup crew as they are sweeping up the popcorn, glitter and toilet paper.

“It was just unreal and out of this world,” said Grundy. Continued page 17

Photos by: Bailey Zimmer

She also thinks this is one of the biggest productions the Paris Performers Theatre has put on and this type of show is going to bring out more and different types of audience and cast members to create a bigger and better theatre atmosphere.

“It only opens the door for so many more opportunities for other performances that they can bring out,” said Grundy. The Rocky Horror Show is a fan favourite to many and holds its place dear in many people's hearts. The play immersed the audience in a world of science fiction, love and adventure and absolutely brought the audience to an alternate reality.

“I’ve always loved the movie and I couldn't wait to come see this and it didn't disappoint at all,” said Lucek. People of all ages were watching the performance, from around 14 years old and up. Rob Grundy is happy to have attended such an interactive play and had a very fun time at the performance on opening night.

“Hats off to them, a great production. I’d come back in a heartbeat. ”