5 Star

50 Years of Getting Your Freak On!

Who would have thought that in 2025 we would be celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the strange fringe show, The Rocky Horror Show, written by the hairdressing New Zealander Richard O’ Brien (EverAfter, Dark City). Now, fifty years on, there isn’t a corner of the World that doesn’t know and love the dark brooding “I’m just a sweet transvestite From Transexual, Transylvania, ha ha”. This is a documentary to be celebrated, in the fashion that only The Rocky Horror Picture Show can. Get dressed up as the cast and go celebrate the greatest musical show the planet has ever seen. Just don’t be the virgin in the audience.

Well a documentary doesn’t come more authentic than this one, as we hear directly from creator/actor/writer Richard O’Brien, and it is directed by his son Linus O’Brien. It starts with Richard back in New Zealand, reminiscing back at his old house, even the neighbours remember him, as we wander around and find where his old hairdressing shop has been replaced with a magnificent statue of Riff Raff, and a plaque telling the onlooker what took place at that spot many years ago.

This is a special documentary, so I am not going to tell you all about it. But what I will say is that you will be educated, enlightened, you’ll laugh and maybe shed a tear. But you will definitely come out of the theatre fully invigorated to go get the Blu-ray out and start the adventure of Brad (Barry Bostwick, Fantastic Planet, Spin City (TV Series)) and Janet (Susan Sarandon, Maybe I Do, The Fabulous Four).

Richard tells us about the origins of his fringe stage play, and we are treated to acoustic versions of some of his songs and he tells us of his search for his cast. With accounts from Tim Curry (Saving Santa 3D, Muppet Treasure Island), Trixie Mattel (Trixie Motel), Lou Adler, Patricia Quinn (The Lords of Salem, The Meaning of Life), Nell Campbell (Great Expectations, Shock Treatment). There are a lot of people that have been influenced by the stage play as it grew in popularity and when it became the film that changed fringe people all over the world.

From small beginnings to global domination, Rocky Horror has it all.

Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror is in cinema’s now