The venue is all important! A single level cinema, on the verge of being condemned, in a seedy area, the bigger the loss of opulence, the more impacting the effect. Rocky Horror is about a loss of innocence, the decaying movie house providing the sense of losing the past and the immediate recognition that this show is about movies. The dilapidated facade is papered with half torn Rocky Horror posters. The lobby is papered with old horror movie posters, a jukebox and pinball machines. Signs on the walls carry apologies for the inconvenience caused during demolition. Once inside the auditorium, you see that the entire interior has been covered in dark blue canvas, stenciled with ACME Demolition Co. Scaffolding runs along both side walls finising at raised platforms at the sides of the stage. The one at the left has a ladder running from the stage to the platform, where an old Coca-Cola chest-style fridge is sitting with black curtaining blocking any view of what may lie behind The centre aisle is blocked by a catwalk running from one of the back doors and meeting at the centre of the stage. The scaffolding platform on the right, also accessed by ladder, supports the “lab”. The lab consists of a hospital bed, with neon tubes in rows behind it, as well as test tubes and chemical flasks filled with colored liquids arranged in front of the neon. Until the scene that uses the lab, it is hidden behind a shabby, stained curtain, resembling a painter’s drop cloth. The audience is facing a proscenium and red velvet curtains. The room is very dimly lit and what can be seen is decaying, cracked or missing, a lifeless arm can be seen hanging through a large crack in the ceiling's plasterwork and collapsed chairs are stacked under the scaffolding. For all appearances, this is a room, mid-demolition. A string of bare bulbs run from a front corner to the opposite rear corner.
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As the theatre is a cinema, the amount of room behind the screen has a bearing on the set's layout. If there is enough space, the band can perform from behind the movie screen, and the right hand side scaffolding platform can hold the Coke fridge. Behind the screen is a curved ladder that forms an arch, also a set of coloured lights making a rainbow. The screen is a guaze, fine enough to see through when lit from behind.
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3 "ushers" badly dressed in moth eaten suits and clear plastic face masks (mannequins in the same costumes are positioned randomly against walls and poles) menace patrons by standing and staring at them, or sitting in a empty seat next to them, till they notice and yelp with fright. At one point one of them begins vacumning the threadbare carpet. Amidst the screams and laughs, the band taking their places (in an area off to one side, amongst the scaffolding) is hardly noticed.
RIFF-RAFF, COLUMBIA and EDDIE/DR. SCOTT, are the disguised USHERS and they approach the stage, as the lights dim. There is a scream and the curtains open to reveal an Usherette, sitting on a black square block in the centre of the stage, with the cinema screen behind her. She is covered with white gauze, lit only by the torch light from her ice-cream tray. The three USHERS move towards her.
They turn to the audience and yell : Glad you could COME tonight, as they remove the veil, a spotlight htis the USHERETTE and she stands to sing
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SCIENCE FICTION (AUDIO)
MICHAEL RENNIE WAS ILL,THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL
BUT HE TOLD US WHERE WE STAND, AND FLASH GORDON WAS THERE
IN SILVER UNDERWEAR, CLAUDE RAINS WAS THE INVISIBLE MAN
THEN SOMETHING WENT WRONG
FOR FAY WRAY AND KING KONG
THEY GOT CAUGHT IN A CELLULOID JAM
THEN AT A DEADLY PACE IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE
AND THIS IS HOW THE MESSAGE RAN.
(chorus)
USHERETTE ---- USHERS
SCIENCE FICTION – WAH, WAH, WAH
DOUBLE FEATURE – DOH, DOH, DOH
DR. X – OO, OO, OO
WILL BUILD A CREATURE, SEE ANDROIDS FIGHTING – OO, OO, OO
BRAD AND JANET, ANNE FRANCIS STARS IN – OO, OO
FORBIDDEN PLANET OH, OH, OH
OH, AT THE LATE NIGHT DOUBLE FEATURE PICTURE SHOW
I KNEW LEO G. CARROL WAS OVER A BARREL
WHEN TARANTULA TOOK TO THE HILLS
AND I REALLY GOT HOT, WHEN I SAW JEANETTE SCOTT
FIGHT A TRIFFID THAT SPITS POISON AND KILLS
DANA ANDREWS SAID PRUNES GAVE HIM THE RUNES
AND PASSING THEM USED LOTS OF SKILLS
AND WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE SAID GEORGE PAL TO HIS BRIDE
I’M GOING TO GIVE YOU SOME TERRIBLE THRILLS
LIKE A –
(repeat chorus)
USHERETTE ---- USHERS
I WANNA GO – OH, OH
TO THE LATE NIGHT DOUBLE FEATURE PICTURE SHOW BY R K O - OH, OH
TO THE LATE NIGHT DOUBLE FEATURE PICTURE SHOW
IN THE BACK ROW -- OH, OH
AT THE LATE NIGHT DOUBLE FEATURE PICTURE SHOW
(There is a Black-out.)
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The piano plays the sound of
wedding bells. BRAD and JANET, the
latter carrying a bouquet, run on as the Lights come up. The three USHERS throw confetti over them then climb to the laboratory, or coke machine, to sing the word “Janet” etc. in the next song. BRAD and JANET are both breathless.
WEDDING DIALOGUE (AUDIO)
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JANET
Oh, Brad, wasn’t it wonderful – didn’t Betty look radiantly beautiful. I can’t believe it – just an hour ago she was plain Betty Munroe and now she’s Mrs. Ralf Hapshatt.
BRAD
Yes, Janet – Ralf’s a lucky guy.
JANET
Yes.
BRAD
Everyone knows Betty’s a wonderful little cook.
JANET
Yes.
BRAD
And Ralf himself will be in line for a promotion in a year or two.
JANET
Yes.
(BRAD takes the microphone.)
Damnit Janet (AUDIO)
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BRAD |
(USHERS) |
HEY, JANET, I’VE GOT SOMETHING TO SAY,
I REALLY LOVED THE SKILFUL WAY YOU BEAT THE OTHER GIRLS TO THE BRIDE’S BOUQUET
THE RIVER WAS DEEP BUT I SWAM IT - JANET
THE FUTURE IS OURS SO LET’S PLAN IT - JANET
SO PLEASE DON’T TELL ME TO CAN IT - JANET
I’VE ONE THING TO SAY AND THAT’S... DAMN IT – JANET – I LOVE YOU.
THE ROAD WAS LONG BUT I RAN IT - JANET
THERE’S A FIRE IN MY HEART AND YOU FAN IT - JANET
IF THERE’S ONE FOOL FOR YOU THEN I AM IT - JANET
I’VE ONE THING TO SAY AND THAT’S DAMN IT – JANET – I LOVE YOU.
HERE’S A RING TO PROVE THAT I’M NO JOKER, THERE’S THREE WAYS THAT LOVE CAN GROW.- BONG BONG BONG BONG
THAT’S GOOD – BAD – OR MEDIOCRE, JANET - JANET – I LOVE YOU SO.
(JANET admires the ring, throws the bouquet into the wings and
grabs the microphone.)
JANET (singing)
OH IT’S NICER THAN BETTY MUNROE HAD- OH BRAD
NOW WE’RE ENGAGED AND I’M SO GLAD - OH BRAD
THAT YOU’VE MET MOM AND YOU KNOW DAD - OH BRAD
I’VE ONE THING TO SAY AND THAT’S... BRAD – I’M MAD – FOR YOU TOO.
OH BRAD
BRAD - OH DAMN IT JANET - I’M MAD
BRAD - OH JANET JANET - FOR YOU
BRAD (taking the microphone)
I LOVE YOU TOO – THERE’S ONE THING LEFT TO DO AND THAT’S GO SEE THE MAN THAT BEGAN IT - JANET
WHEN WE MET IN HIS SCIENCE EXAM IT - JANET
MADE ME GIVE YOU THE EYE AND THEN PANIC - JANET
NOW I’VE ONE THING TO SAY AND THAT’S...
DAMN IT – JANET – I LOVE YOU.
DAMN IT JANET JANET - OH BRAD I’M MAD
BRAD - DAMN IT JANET JANET & BRAD (together) - I LOVE YOU. |
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(There is a Black-out during which JANET and BRAD sit – one cheek each – on the black box. A spot picks up the NARRATOR who has been sitting in the front row, he walks up onto the stage, and with his back turned to the audience, opens a secret door in the proscenium. He makes a creaking sound as he slowly opens the door. Inside are shelves. On one shelf is a large book. He takes the book and turns to the audience, he blows a cloud of “dust” from the book over the front rows, and opens the book.
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NARRATOR (AUDIO)
I would like –
– if I may – to take you on a strange journey.
(He reads.)
It seemed a fairly ordinary night when Brad Majors, and his fiancée Janet Weiss... (two young ordinary healthy kids)... left Denton that late November evening to visit a Dr. Evrett Scott, ex science tutor and now friend to both of them... It’s true there were dark storm clouds, heavy – black and pendulous – toward which they were driving, it’s true also that the spare tyre they were carrying was badly in need of some air – but they being normal kids and on a night out – well – they were not going to let a storm spoil the events of their evening. On a night out... It was a night out they were to remember for a very – long – time.
(There is a Black-out.)
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A spotlight picks up BRAD and JANET (sitting on the box) miming a car journey. BRAD is“driving” with his left hand whilst
his right hand is imitating a windscreen wiper. JANET’s left
hand lies across her like a seat belt and her right arm is also
imitating a windscreen wiper. The
USHERS make the sound of the car and the blow-out when it comes, vocally. It is a stormy night and
flashes of lightning are seen. The“car”stops.
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BRAD - Hmmm...
JANET - What’s the matter, Brad darling?
BRAD - I think we took the wrong fork a few miles back there. We’d better go on ahead up the road and see if we can find our way back.
(JANET and BRAD move straight down C.S. and stop on the edge of the stage. There is a blow-out. They sway as if the brakes have been slammed on.) - Oh darn! Janet.
JANET - What was that bang?
BRAD (getting “out” of the car) - We seem to have a blow-out in the front left-hand tyre.
JANET - Oh... (There is a pause. Lightning is seen.)
BRAD - You’d better stay here and keep warm while I go for help.
JANET - But where will you go? We’re in the middle of nowhere.
BRAD - Didn’t we pass a castle back down the road a few miles? Maybe they have a telephone I might use.
JANET (wrestling with her “seat-belt”) -
I’m coming with you. (She gets “out.”)
(RIFF-RAFF makes his way to the ladder and climbs it.)
BRAD - There’s no point in both of us getting wet.
JANET - I’m coming with you. Besides, darling, the owner of the phone may be a beautiful woman, and then you may never come back.
BRAD - Ha, ha, ha.
(The USHERS take up the laughter.)
(JANET picks up the microphone.)
OVER AT THE FRANKENSTEIN PLACE (AUDIO)
JANET
(singing)
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IN THE VELVET DARKNESS OF THE BLACKEST NIGHT, BURNING BRIGHT – THERE’S A GUIDING STAR,
NO MATTER WHAT OR WHO YOU ARE.
BRAD & JANET (together) - THERE’S A LIGHT
ALL- OVER AT THE FRANKENSTEIN PLACE
BRAD & JANET (together) -
THERE’S A LIGHT
ALL- BURNING IN THE FIREPLACE
JANET -
THERE’S A LIGHT... LIGHT
IN THE DARKNESS OF EVERYBODY’S LIFE. (BRAD climbs a ladder half-way to the laboratory.)
BRAD (pointing) -
I CAN SEE THE FLAG FLY, I CAN SEE THE RAIN, JUST THE SAME, THERE HAS GOT TO BE SOMETHING BETTER HERE – FOR YOU AND ME.
BRAD & JANET (together) - THERE’S A LIGHT (BRAD climbs down.)
ALL - OVER AT THE FRANKENSTEIN PLACE (BRAD and JANET go to each other.)
BRAD & JANET (together) -
THERE’S A LIGHT
ALL- BURNING IN THE FIREPLACE
BRAD -
THERE’S A LIGHT... LIGHT
IN THE DARKNESS OF EVERYBODY’S LIFE.
(The light comes up on RIFF-RAFF behind the screen. The sound of
his voice causes BRAD and JANET to run to the sides of the stage.)
RIFF-RAFF - THE DARKNESS MUST GO DOWN THE RIVER OF NIGHTS DREAMING,
FLOW MORPHIA SLOW LET THE SUN AND LIGHT COME STREAMING INTO MY LIFE
INTO MY LIFE. (The light fades on RIFF-RAFF. JANET and BRAD go to each other.)
BRAD & JANET (together) - THERE’S A LIGHT
ALL - OVER AT THE FRANKENSTEIN PLACE
BRAD & JANET (together) - THERE’S A LIGHT
ALL- BURNING IN THE FIREPLACE
BRAD & JANET (together) - THERE’S A LIGHT... LIGHT
IN THE DARKNESS OF EVERYBODY’S LIFE.
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(Lightning is seen. JANET screams.) (AUDIO)
BRAD -
It’s all right, Janet.
JANET - Oh, Brad, let’s go back. I’m cold and I’m frightened.
BRAD - Just a moment, Janet, they may have a telephone. (BRAD pulls a cord by the red velvets as though it is a bell-pull. He turns to JANET and the bell rings behind his back. After some time the “door” (curtain) opens far right.)
RIFF-RAFF (looking past them as if for others, or someone else) - Hello.
BRAD - Oh... Uh... Ahh... Hi there, we’re in a bit of a spot, I wonder could you help us – our car is broken down about two miles back – do you have a telephone we might use...
RIFF-RAFF (after a pause) - You’re wet.
JANET - Yes – the rain has been very heavy.
BRAD -
Yes.
RIFF-RAFF - Yes. (Lightning is seen.)
I think you better both come inside.
JANET - You’re too kind.
(BRAD and JANET go in, around the back of the screen to the other side of the stage. RIFF-RAFF smiles and exits after them. There
is a Black-out. The spotlight comes up on the NARRATOR.)
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NARRATOR -
And so, after braving the inclement weather, and some not too little time – it seemed that fortune had smiled on Brad and Janet and that they had found the assistance their plight required. Or had they? There was certainly something about this house (to which, a flat tyre and a wet night had brought them) that made the both of them feel apprehensive and uneasy. But, if they were to reach their destination that night, they would have to ignore such feelings and take advantage of whatever help was offered.
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