Time Warp Taiwan’s production of Rocky Horror Picture Show returns this weekend to Taipei. The group has been putting on the popular stage play, which involves actors performing in front of a film screening of the 1975 cult hit, since 2015. It resumed in October last year since it paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lan Li (藍璃) is the new director, and also plays the character Magenta.
“Now that we’re getting out of COVID times,” the American performer said, “the audience doesn’t have to wear a mask and it can be more open and free.”
Photo courtesy of Time Warp Taiwan
Her partner and co-director Outy Yang (楊許秀樹) plays Riff Raff.
“I feel very related to the character, ever since I saw the movie,” he said. “He’s always in the background, but he’s the master planner.”
Now that the show is back to its regular format, Yang hopes that people will travel from abroad once again to see their show.
Photo courtesy of Time Warp Taiwan
The satirical musical is about conservative couple Brad and Janet, who find themselves lost in a mysterious castle. Servants Riff Raff and Magenta lead them through a seductive night, as singing mad scientist Frank-N-Furter creates a Frankenstein-esque perfect man known as Rocky. More comedy than horror, the story satirizes B-movie tropes and has had a large fan base over many decades.
Several new cast members have joined this production, across multiple backgrounds from South America to Europe and all over Asia.
“I wanted a diverse cast, and for people to feel welcomed no matter how they identify or their sexuality,” Li said. “Because the theme of the show is to encourage people to be themselves.”
Photo courtesy of Time Warp Taiwan
The titular Rocky is played by drag king Tan Liting (陳立婷) from Singapore — credited under the stage name Uncle Southside. The criminologist, a role that serves as the narrator, is played by Antonella Gismundi from Italy. “I play a male,” she said. “But we are gender-bending the character, which I think is an interesting spin. I didn’t want to dress up as a man, but [wanted to] play it as femme and even sexy.”
Expect racy fashion from the actors, as well as dancing and lots of laughs. Audience participation is a tradition at Rocky Horror Picture Show, with those in the seats encouraged to shout obscenities at the actors. Future shows are scheduled for October during Halloween/Pride weekend, and another in November in Taichung for the local Pride event there. Time Warp Taiwan plans to do at least three shows a year.
Saturday at 8:30pm at Taipei Shin Kong Cinemas (台北獅子林新光影城) 4F, 36 Xining S Rd, Taipei City (台北市西寧南路36號4樓).
Photo courtesy of Time Warp Taiwan
The show is for adults only. Tickets are NT$650 and can be purchased through twrhps.kktix.cc. For more information, please visit facebook.com/timewarptaiwan.
Photo courtesy of Time Warp Taiwan
Photo courtesy of Time Warp Taiwan
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