In Shakespeare's time, theatre-goers were rather more boisterous than they are now, cat-calling and cheering, and even throwing vegetables.
In some ways, Sudbury Theatre Centre's “The Rocky Horror Show” — which runs Sept. 25 to Oct. 18 — marks a return to this raucous style of audience participation.
That's because it's based on the cult classic 1975 film “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” where audiences dress up as their favourite characters, call out certain phrases at various points in the movie and even throw items.
For STC's theatre adaptation of the movie, people are welcome to dress up and do call-outs at all of the shows, said the theatre centre's education co-ordinator, Judi Straughan.
However, if people want to throw items, they're asked to come to the two late-night shows, which take place Oct. 9 and 17.
“I think what we'll be doing that night is giving a little better education,” Straughan said.
People will be asked to throw props straight up and not on stage, where they could risk the health and safety of the actors, she said.
Among the items STC encourages people to bring to the two late-night shows include a newspaper, a flashlight, rubber gloves, noisemaker, confetti and a party hat. STC will also sell kits with these items.
Other traditional Rocky Horror props — including hotdogs and water guns — are not welcome.
“They'd be terrible,” Straughan said. “Imagine someone potentially having had a drink or two having a water gun and a hotdog. You'd almost have to have security in a theatre.”
Some of the Rocky Horror call-outs are rather risque. For example, whenever the character Janet appears, audiences yell “slut!”
“The movie's been around for 40 years, and some people know it really, really well,” Straughan said.
“They will be calling out, and we are ready for it. That'll be part of the fun. If you're sitting next to someone who's calling out in the audience, you'll be laughing all the more.”
For more information about Rocky Horror audience participation, visit www.rockyhorrorfan.com.
To purchase tickets to Rocky Horror, and for showtimes, visit www.sudburytheatre.ca.
