The Rocky Horror Picture Show Livestream Theatre (2020) Drinking Game
Down a Shot: every time Little Nell says ‘daah-ling’… & gets mercilessly trolled by Tim Curry for it.
Down a Shot: for every shirtless/semi-nude David Arquette sighting
Down a Shot: for every shirtless Ben Barnes sighting (that provocateur…!)
Down a Shot: every time a guest star breaks character, courtesy of Tim Curry’s ad-libs
By: Vidal D’Costa (A Toast) –
Science fiction and social distance intertwine in this charity fundraiser event featuring a star-studded ensemble of original cast members as well as a wide range of big name celebs from Broadway and beyond, all of whom lend their collective acting and musical prowess and join in from the privacy of their homes/backyards to partake in a virtual table read of the beloved cult classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
A Toast
Despite its challenges, such as moderate budget production value & low budget (but screen-accurate) outfits, this virtual table read felt more in tune with the old world charm of the 1975 original, serving as a more befitting homage to the same, as compared to its abysmal big budget counterpart, Let’s Do the Time Warp Again (2016).
The diverse cast stays ever faithful to the script and I would single out Jason Alexander (as the Narrator), Miss Peppermint, Keala Settle, Seth Green, Rosario Dawson (Magenta), and a surprisingly whacky and wild David Arquette (Eddie), who not only do justice to the characters but also add their own spin to the same while also showcasing an affinity for the campy source material that shines through in their individual performances. Green, who has been rather open about being a Rocky Horror stan in the past, particularly delivers a memorable and nuanced performance as the sinister handyman Riff Raff which I felt was even notches higher than Richard O’Brien’s own.
Along with the additional cast, Barry Bostwick returns as Brad Majors along with the delightful Nell Campbell/Little Nell also reprising her role as Columbia and the incomparable Tim Curry, too, stepping into the high heels (metaphorically speaking) of the character that he originated- the iconic Dr. Frank N Furter. And while Curry may no longer be able to upstage his peers with his riveting and lithe footwork due to the after effects of a stroke, he still succeeds at leaving everyone in splits with his ad libs. Witnessing the veteran thespian light up a cigarette with utter swag and conviction midway through the second act while eliciting chuckles from his co-stars who can barely keep a straight face during his outlandish ad libs is worth all the technical glitches in the world! A lot of his merciless trolling was aimed at good pal Nell who is often caught ‘usurping’ his lines (“you’ll take orders from me… and no-one else!” he snarls at Seth Green at one point, in true girl-boss fashion) and their friendly banter helps immensely in filling the awkward silences that are more often than not part and parcel of such virtual events.
Also special mention to guest actor Frankie Grande’s quirky and highly whimsical Zoom backgrounds that further heightened the zany vibe of this virtual production.
Verdict
I couldn’t ask for a better, sluttier, more nostalgic joyride than this virtual read that’s not only a tribute to The Rocky Horror Picture Show, bringing together the positives of both the stage and screen adaptations, but also a must watch for fans of the original or for those who felt personally violated by the 2016 remake. Encore!
Watch it here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sHUn5QQgqXM
