“It’s just a jump to the left.“
After one of the worst weeks of the year — (see: sinus infection, three essays and a root canal) — I decided to have a bit of fun with a few of my friends. What did we do? We got deflowered. Okay, that’s not as sexual as it sounds. (Well, yeah it is.) Audience members who have not seen “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” with a live shadow cast are called “Virgins”. Fortunately, I knew enough to keep my “Rocky Horror” virginity a secret from anyone else at The Bloor Cinema. If you’ve learned the “Virgin Secret”, you know what I mean.
I think I was the most straight-laced person in the whole theatre. It felt a little awkward with my button-down blouse and ironed pants when people in drag and lingerie were skulking around like they owned the place. A conservatively-dressed group took the seats in front of me, and I felt relieved. This was short lived, however, because they quickly proceeded to strip, revealing some quite scandalous outfits.
But I had a hell of a good time. I’ve seen the film countless times, and I’m glad I got to see the shadow cast with a very loud and knowledgeable audience. There were so many geeky references, Wil Wheaton’s head would explode. I was shocked at how many of the jokes I got. I’m completely going to next month’s production if my exam schedule isn’t too brutal. (I’ll make sure I have all the props too. I only brought a newspaper this time.) If you’re thinking of kicking around The Bloor for the next shadow cast performance, Tweet me at Finalgirlproj. Hopefully, we can meet up and throw rice at one another.
Notes: Directed by Jim Sharman; Produced by Lou Adler, Michael White; Written by Richard O’Brien, Jim Sharman; Starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Richard O’Brien, Patricia Quinn, Nell Campbell, Meat Loaf; Music by Richard O’Brien, Richard Hartley; Cinematography by Peter Suschitzky; Editing by Graeme Clifford.
Sasha James, otherwise known as The Final Girl Project, is a twenty-something Torontonian with an unhealthy amount of her week reserved for film and television. She also moonlights as The Doctor's companion on Saturdays. 
Aw I’m so sorry you had such an awful week (are you feeling better?) but I’m glad you eased some of your sorrows with such a cool event! This is one of my all-time favorites but I’ve never seen it in a theatre. My housemate and I are planning to go when the weather warms up because there’s a theatre by Harvard that does a midnight showing every Saturday. I would keep the “virgin” thing to myself too, but I do plan to dress up a bit!
I feel a lot better, thanks for asking. You should definitely make the hike over with your roommate when the weather gets better. Fortunately, I live about three minutes from the participating theatre in my city.
I love seeing the shadow cast and hearing all the things you’re supposed to yell at the screen. My first time seeing it was pretty awesome too, and luckily I didn’t learn the “Virgin Secret” firsthand. I’ll try to make it out for the next showing.