That’s right. The Rocky Horror Picture Show, in all of its interactive glory, is coming back to Campbell River - hosted by Rivercity Players in partnership with the Campbell River Art Gallery.
Back in the fall of 2022, after a tough few years of having an almost entirely dark theatre due to a global pandemic, the board of the Rivercity Players was brainstorming ideas on how to welcome people back to their cozy little space. They quickly hit on the idea of incorporating film screenings into their calendar in addition to the theatrical offerings and concert performances that were already happening in the venue.
Back in the fall of 2022, after a tough few years of having an almost entirely dark theatre due to a global pandemic, the board of the Rivercity Players was brainstorming ideas on how to welcome people back to their cozy little space. They quickly hit on the idea of incorporating film screenings into their calendar in addition to the theatrical offerings and concert performances that were already happening in the venue.
And as soon as that idea cropped up, the idea of hosting The Rocky Horror Picture Show was a goal for board member – and now film night coordinator – Pam Verhaeghe, but first they had to find out if anyone would actually come to watch movies there.
With the great success of a members-only screening earlier this year, followed by Canadian cult classic The Adventures of Bob & Doug McKenzie: Strange Brew in June, Verhaeghe soon after presented a proposal for two nights showing The Rocky Horror Picture Show as a fundraising event.
With the planning coming together quickly, Rivercity Players were approached by the Campbell River Art Gallery to see if there was an opportunity for a partnership. Verhaeghe says part of the mission for Rivercity Players is to be an accessible and inclusive community hub for creativity in the region, and partnerships with other community arts organizations are a big part of that.
The partnership with the Campbell River Art Gallery was a perfect fit. Their current exhibition Celestial Bodies, a group exhibition that examines expanding forms of gender and sexuality through the lens of contemporary Canadian 2SLGBTQ+ artists working across different media. The Rocky Horror Picture Show was ahead of its time for its representation of 2SLGBTQ+ and has always been a celebration of those who are different, encouraging everyone to embrace their differences rather than conforming to the norm.
“I saw the film for the first time when I was 15, and adored it,” Verhaeghe says. “It soon became a tradition for my friends and I to gather and watch it around Halloween. Growing up in a small community in the interior of BC, the film was eye-opening and showed us it could be fun to be different. There weren’t any screenings of the film in our small town, so we hosted our own events – in costume, of course.”
It’s going to be more than just a movie screening, with volunteers collaborating to create an engaging event that will include the film, a costume contest, and after party. Each guest will receive a props bag for audience participation, with Rivercity Players’ very own usherettes there to perform and lead anyone who is new to the experience through the evening.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Movie Night Fundraiser will run for two nights: Friday, Oct. 27 and Saturday, Oct. 28. Tickets are $30, which includes your admission to the film ($15), props bag, entry to the costume contest and after party, along with a donation supporting programming at both Rivercity Players and The Campbell River Art Gallery.
Visit www.rivercitytickets.ca to get your tickets before they’re sold out!