Publisher's Synopsis
In 1973, in a tiny upstairs theater in London, a sweet transvestite in fishnets, platform heels, and a corset strutted on stage and tossed off his cape—and the world was never the same. Now, for the first time, show creator Richard O'Brien opens his archives to provide an unprecedented look at the origins of Frank N. Furter and Rocky Horror in this unique and stunning two-volume set. It Was Great When It All Began: The Original Annotated Theatrical Script Before the cult movie classic, there was the cult stage show. See where it all began with this original 1973 theatrical script, presented in all its Rocky Horror glory. Production notes, stage directions, and the full script with lyrics are accompanied by rare performance images from the 1973 London and 1974 Roxy (Los Angeles) casts. Remembrances from cast members and an archival piece written by Richard O'Brien offer insights into what makes a winning Rocky Horror stage performance. You'll feel like you're in the front row of that little London theater. And because today's stage productions often reflect the movie, the book also includes a Virgin's Guide—a complete theatrical script annotated with classic audience callbacks and partici . . . pation. Strange Journey: The Illustrated Oral History of Rocky Horror Rocky Horror's strange journey began onstage, but the full story is much more. Based on the groundbreaking documentary Strange Journey by Richard's son, Linus O'Brien, this official oral history chronicles the saga from its stage origins to its lasting cultural impact. Never-before-seen images and ephemera from Richard O'Brien's personal archive are paired with new interviews from cast and crew—including Tim Curry and Susan Sarandon—shadow cast performers, and of course, Richard O'Brien himself. Cultural icons like Trixie Mattel share how Rocky Horror shaped their lives and the LGBTQ+ community. Packed with fascinating stories, rare imagery, and archival treasures, Strange Journey paints a vivid portrait of how this cult classic became a global phenomenon. DEFINITIVE COMPANION: Experience the cult classic stage play like never before, featuring the complete script and lyrics, original cast photography, and insights from the original cast and show creator Richard O'Brien. EXCLUSIVE MATERIAL: Discover never-before-seen set photography and design sketches from Richard O'Brien's personal collection. NEW INTERVIEWS: Includes fresh interviews with cast, crew, and cultural historians, offering new perspectives on this enduring cultural phenomenon.
