Standing in the lobby of London’s Dominion Theatre (usually home to The Devil Wears Prada), encased in silver sequins and a shock of neon green faux fur, I remembered that blending in has a very different definition in the world of The Rocky Horror Picture Show than it does in the everyday world. Around me, hundreds of fans were dressed up in everything from corsets and suspenders to black tailcoats and tiny party hats, with sequins on everything. All of us had descended on central London for the 50th-anniversary screening – not just a film, but a homecoming for the weird and wonderful.

The evening kicked off with a dose of Rocky Horror royalty as my friends and I found our way into the orbit of Little Nell (the original Columbia) and Barry Bostwick (Brad Majors) for a group fan photo. They say never to meet your heroes because they might disappoint, but this was definitely not the case here. And for one of my friends, a lifelong RHPS devotee, a brief exchange of words with Nell that evening wasn’t just a highlight; it was a dream come true.

The screening opened with a digital “welcome home” from the creator himself, Richard O’Brien, followed by warm, anecdotal video messages from Tim Curry and Susan Sarandon. But the real magic happened during the live pre-show Q&A hosted by Larry Viezel.

We learned the patchwork history of how this ‘Science Fiction Double Feature’ came to be. Nell, we were told, was spotted whilst working as a tap-dancing waitress. Patricia Quinn (Magenta) admitted she had no earthly idea what she was letting herself in for during her audition, but once she heard the first song, she was sold. Perhaps most fascinating was Peter Hinwood, the original Rocky: a Chelsea bodybuilder scouted at a gym while the rest of the world was in flares and dropping out. He had the perfect body and look for the role. And let’s not forget how important a role director Jim Sharman played. He knew exactly how to tease out the best from Richard O’Brien.

Larry Viezel also reminded the audience, in his inimitable way, of the traditional rules of engagement – the heckles, the call and response, the bad language – and warned anyone throwing anything not to aim for the stage! He flushed out the virgins (those who had never seen the film in a cinema) from the sluts and presided over a huge costume contest judged by Nell herself. There were so many of us that we filled the front and the aisles of the stalls.

Then came what we had all been waiting for: the main event. For the uninitiated, a Rocky Horror screening is a sport. We were armed with goodie bags of props, and many people had brought their own too, including “Damn it” and “Janet” signs and a plethora of fairy lights. And yes, some people had brought water pistols, but that just added to the fun. The audience was on ferocious form and the fourth wall was well and truly demolished. Even with all the heckling, singing along and everything else going on, the sound and visuals of the movie were fantastic. We could hear everything clearly.

The screening featured two distinct “shadow casts”, one for each half. These are fans who are chosen to be performers for the night and who act out the film in front of the screen. The inclusive nature of RHPS and the film’s motto, “Don’t dream it, be it”, were certainly taken to heart. The performances were committed and enthusiastic but had varying degrees of success (as one might expect). The second-half Frank-N-Furter was a highlight and a tour de force of charisma as he strutted across the stage in a way that would make Tim Curry proud, while the Narrator and Dr. Scott stole their respective scenes thanks to their perfect timing and characterisation.

As the first notes rang out, I found myself remembering the cassette tape I used to play on repeat on my Walkman. Hearing those songs again – ‘There’s A Light (Over at The Frankenstein Place)’, ‘Sweet Transvestite’, ‘The Time Warp’ and ‘I’m Going Home’ – blasted through a modern sound system reminded me of just how fantastic the songwriting is. Jim Sharman’s ability to ‘tickle the tunes’ out of O’Brien resulted in a soundtrack that still holds up today.

The enduring power of Rocky Horror is undeniable – from fringe stage musical to the continued screenings and live tours, this is art as subculture. And while parts of the film are inevitably products of their time, the core message of radical self-acceptance remains as relevant as ever. The 50th anniversary proved that the fanbase isn’t just surviving; it’s thriving. We left the Dominion with our hearts just that bit lighter and a sense of belonging that only the freaks residing in a castle in Transylvania (via a theatre in London) can provide.

Here’s to the next 50 years of shivering with antici………………pation.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary Spectacular Tour continues across the UK until 3 May 2026.

For more information and tickets, visit the official tour website

Words by Helen Keegan

Photos Kevin Wilson PR