A review from Pat H

Singalonga Rocky Horror Picture Show Screening
Capitol Theatre Horsham 9/10/22 8pm

Bit of a dress rehearsal and another excuse for me to cross dress in public! As I have booked to attend three stage shows in November two down in Hastings plus another in Wimbledon, I have been looking around for a local Make-up artist down in Hasting's area. I have selected an independent lady that runs Kel's Beauty so we decided that as I was also attending this sing-a-long screening at the Capitol Theatre in Horsham she would use this event as a dry run for my impending makeover.

I Know that Hastings is not local to Horsham especially when you factor in a stopover near Claygate to put on my outfit as its almost impossible to squeeze myself into a corset and lace it up at the back on my own. It felt very strange driving the 70 odd miles up the A21 and round the M25 in full make-up, but I must say nobody even appeared to bat an eyelid.

So, I though let's go all in then and got dressed into my full Frank n Furter costume including the new wig that had been purchased from Treloggan Wigs in Portsmouth a few weeks earlier. Making no effort to hide my outfit, I made the second drive of the day another 25 miles down to Horsham, again nobody seemed to even notice my strange attire, but I suppose by now it was getting dark.

I had done my research a few weeks earlier and knew that the North Street carpark was withing easy walking distance of the venue in stockings and stiletto's but even so decided to wear my cape as had to cross a main road. The foyer was deserted but the two ladies on the desk looked up and smiled as I walked in asking if I was attending the show, to which I replied, “No I always dress like this on a Sunday night!” they laughed and said please proceed to the bar.

I Must admit to being a little relieved to find a chap dressed as Brad sitting near the entrance and a few more groups of people sitting nearer the bar, the outfit of choice predominately Magenta & Columbia. I do find it strange how few people dress as Frank and often wonder if its just me that likes to cross dress? But then noticed that one of the Magenta's standing next to the counter was male and the group photo requests commenced.

Upon entering the auditorium, I was surprised at how empty it was with only five minutes to go. The ticket had said fancy dress is not compulsory but is strongly recommended to which most attendees had complied. Upon entering we had all been given what I now discovered to be a props bag containing Flash Cards, a newspaper, tissue, and a party popper.

The host then appeared on Stage in a white vest and Y-fronts he started to explain to any “Virgins” what each item was for and when to use it, a nice touch that I was not expecting having only remembered to bring my torch at the last minute. After a practice rehearsal of the Time Warp dance steps the film started.

It's quite sad to see that the average age of the Audience must be in their late fifties but just goes to show the long run that the film and stage show has endured and the fact that it is still enjoyed right up to the present day.