The annual charity shadow cast screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show will return in May, despite fears that it may not follow 2024’s event.
The screening, run in aid of local LGBTQ+ youth charity SAYiT, is organised by the Horror Society and aims to raise money for LGBTQ+ young people in Sheffield.
Set to be performed on May 24th, the surprising announcement came alongside the opportunity to express interest in joining the cast.
Audition dates for the shadow cast roles are yet to be announced.
The announcement, which unexpectedly came yesterday afternoon, has called for participants to “live out [their] freaky picture-show fantasies!”.
“We need some talented Transylvanians to audition for our shadow cast production of Rocky Horror 2025!”
“Whether you feel like a Frank, Janet or just wanna be a weird little Transylvanian, get signing up!”
The event, which has run for several years, sees a company of performers reenact The Rocky Horror Picture Show live in front of a screening of the 1975 film, starring Tim Curry and Charles Grey.
Complete with props and infamous audience shout-outs, the annual production is an interactive event, staged for several editions at the Showroom Cinema in Sheffield’s city centre.
The 2024 cast saw performances from Barbara McLaughlin (Chosen Ones, Why We Stay) as Riff Raff, Freyja Pearman as Magenta and DragSoc’s Olivia Harvey, commonly known as Polly Peptide, as Dr Frank-N-Furter.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a cult-classic film following a newly married couple, Brad Majors and Janet Weiss, who become embroiled in the supernatural affairs of Dr Frank-N-Furter, to the narration of the mysterious Criminologist.
The film has become a staple of LGBTQ+ representation in film, as well as historically providing an environment for LGBTQ+ people to express themselves, with gender stereotypes often disregarded at screenings of the film.
Whilst it is controversial to some due to its questionable portrayal of gender non-conforming people and use of outdated terminology, to others, it is a key part of LGBTQ+ history which played, and continues to play, an important role in commemorating queer history & allowing people to continue self-expression in a positive environment.
Whilst previous years have seen a collaboration between the Horror Society, Drag Society and LGBTQ+ Representative Committee in delivering this event, it is currently unclear whether such a collaboration is in place for the 2025 event.
Although the LGBTQ+ Representative Committee no longer exists following its dissolution in September, its replacement the LGBTQ+ Society, has not yet indicated whether it is involved in this year’s production.
The show, which often sells out, has been a staple of Sheffield’s LGBTQ+ calendar for several years, and now seems set to return just one week before the beginning of Pride Month in June.
Whilst many details are currently unknown, yesterday’s announcement is the first indication that the event is set to return, with many having questioned whether it would be returning in 2025.
Nevertheless, the revelation that the Horror Society will, in fact, be doing the Time Warp again is a welcome announcement, with many considering joining the company for a truly unique piece of student theatre.
Auditions for Horror Society’s charity shadow cast screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show will take place in the coming weeks. Interest in joining the company can be expressed here
