For the first time in about two years, I had ‘the dream’ last night. The dream is something I believe is common to all those who shadow cast Rocky Horror, but is seldom spoken of. This morning I am breaking the silence!
The main thread of the dream is that you’re being called upon to do a shadowcast for Rocky somewhere. Such is the nature of shadowcasting (for those who don’t know, everyone can pretty much play anything so parts are very interchangeable) that in this case you don’t know who you’re going to be, so you bring every costume and make up piece with you. You finally get to the event and you can’t find the person leading the shadowcast. You search everywhere but nothing. Then finally, once the show’s begun, you get a tip off – you’re playing Magenta!
But holy crap, where’s your Magenta stuff? Make up, check, boots, check, but that’s it! And they’re already on to Dammmit Janet! Time slows down at this point, bizarrely giving you enough time to go to the shops. Why they’re open at the same time as a shadowcasting (normally around 10pm-2am) I have no idea, but you scrape together a black dress from somewhere. As a Rocky performer you then castrate yourself by not having an accurate costume, for goodness sake not having a wig, and manage somehow to get through the show, generally hating yourself for what you’re (not) wearing. I tell a lie – normally you get to your first scene in the film LATE (in my case they were at the Creation scene) and halfways into your almost-costume, receiving a round of tuts for your trouble.
And then on to the next dream.
And people wonder why I ask what part I’m playing so far in advance!
Remember kids, Rocky Horror at the Grosvenor Cinema, Glasgow, Friday 7th and Saturday 8th November. See you there, hopefully on time and hopefully in costume!