Subject: I sometimes wish I'd be invited to these. :P
Author:
Posted on: 2014-11-12 12:19:00 UTC
Part because this is fun stuff, part because it's my critic standin who keeps getting replaced. ;) I like these little jot ups though, and as much as I've not exactly been carrying my weight I like the feel the current Monitor crew gives to the setting.
Science Fiction Double Feature: A Troupe By Any Other Name Celebrates Halloween With Rocky Horror Picture Show Screening
Nim de Cagny, Multiverse Monitor, Stand-In-Critic for Stan Grayson Because His Old-Man Sensibilities Were Offended By This Show
5/5 stars
dir. Kate Lynn
October 31 at 9PM, 18+ only
A Troupe By Any Other Name temporarily departed from the Bard and took some time off their rehearsals for As You Like It by screening The Rocky Horror Picture Show with shadow actors on Halloween night.
A cult classic from World One, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a 1975 comedy horror musical film chronicling the adventures of a couple, Brad Majors and Janet Weiss (played in the shadow cast by DIC Agents the Agent and the Disentangler, respectively), who stray into a castle owned by extraterrestrial scientist Dr Frank-N-Furter (played, to no one’s surprise, by ESAS Agent Jacques Bonnefoy). Hijinks following a very thin line of plot ensue, mostly of the scantily-clad and crossdressing variety. The main event in the show is the creation of Rocky, a muscular blond pretty-boy (played, with some application of the disguise generator, by DOGA Agent T’Zar). Other characters include the semi-incestuous servant siblings Riff-Raff and Magenta (played by SIELU Agents Naergondir and Gurnirel, who were the only actors to be completely disguised in this show), bad-boy biker Eddie (played by DIC Agent Edgar Sullivan) and his uncle Dr Scott, tap-dancing Eddie fangirl Columbia (played by DO Agent Nerys Carpenter), and a neckless criminologist (played by none other than DF Agent the Notary).
Aside from some of the surprising shadow cast members, the show was a continuous ride of glorious illogic. The shadow actors only followed what the actors in the film were doing, lip-synching their lines and mimicking their actions. Despite having two sets of action to keep track of, the off-screen performance was widely acknowledged by the audience to be just as (if not even more) entertaining than the on-screen performance. The crowd went wild during the number “Touch-a Touch-a Touch-a Touch Me”, when the Disentangler danced extremely suggestively at T’Zar (and sometimes on T’Zar). Another wonderful moment was the burlesque floor show, where Carpenter, T’Zar, the Agent, and the Disentangler danced in corsets, fishnets, and feathered boas.
One of the hallmarks of Rocky Horror screenings and performances in World One is, of course, the audience participation. And with the PPC being what it is, well, of course the audience participation was phenomenal. People blew noisemakers and wore party hats; they did the Time Warp during the “Time Warp” number (and continued doing it at random intervals afterwards); they shouted things at the stage and screen in classic MST style. Some of the more dedicated agents dressed as the characters as well, and swarmed the stage with the actors for the encore of “Superheroes” after the credits.
All in all this was an enjoyable show, and if the Troupe does intend on making it an annual event, I highly recommend this show for those who are curious, those who can’t pass up an opportunity to MST something, and those who enjoy World One comedy horror musicals.
—
Comments
Marcel Chevalier, DBS — 1 November 2014
...wasn’t there supposed to be a Klingon in this? I feel cheated. People shouldn’t say they’ll have a Klingon and then not have a Klingon. That’s just bad advertising.
Elysa Webber, DO — 1 November 2014
I think the Klingon was just a rumor, sweetheart. I mean, seriously did you see a Klingon in this mess?
Benoit Fortier, DF — 1 November 2014
Mess? It wasn’t a mess! It was...okay, it was a mess, because of all the food, but it was awesome!
Anyway, it’s not like you paid to not see a Klingon...
Christianne Shieh, DMS — 1 November 2014
Wow, sudden flashbacks to college showings of Rocky Horror! Though I think the audience participation at the PPC will always trump that of any college showing. It’s the audience that makes the film an experience instead of a film. 10/10 would Time Warp again.
Dawn McKenna, DMS — 1 November 2014
I didn’t actually know about the audience participation until tonight, when it started and people were yelling things. And throwing things. I’m still a bit curious about why, but it was definitely fun! Nothing at all like my first viewing. Definitely all for Time Warping again, too...
Christianne Shieh, DMS — 2 November 2014
Let me tell you, Rocky Horror is always better when seen with a group. When I lost my Rocky Horror virginity (that means going to see a public showing of it, get your mind out of the gutter by at least two inches, I beg you) they put a ‘V’ on my hand in lipstick and gave me a suggestively-frosted cupcake. I hope the Troupe continues doing this, it’s a glorious thing that must be shared with everyone of age at HQ.
Seriously, though, Dawn, did you live somewhere without a cool theatre club or something that did RHPS once in a while? That town is in desperate need of enlightenment.
Eledhwen Elerossiel, DMS — 2 November 2014
Chrissy, I hardly consider this to be ‘enlightenment’.
Christianne Shieh, DMS — 2 November 2014
You also weren’t sure what to do with the noisemaker during the Time Warp scene. Nyeh.
Dawn McKenna, DMS — 2 November 2014
...I lived in the PPC? I’ve been here since I was fourteen, where exactly do you think I’d have managed to find a showing? I just watched it in my RC.
Christianne Shieh, DMS — 2 November 2014
-loud sigh-
Eledhwen Elerossiel, DMS — 2 November 2014
She means sorry, Dawn.
Dawn McKenna, DMS — 2 November 2014
She can take it up with the Troupe, if it bothers her that much. But thanks for the apology.
Luxury, DBS — 2 November 2014
What? So mad I missed the auditions for this one! >:(((((
Jacques Bonnefoy, ESAS — 2 November 2014
So were we, believe me. You would have been great. Maybe next year?
Luxury, DBS — 3 November 2014
You betcha! ;)))) I’ll be Frank next year. ;*
Jacques Bonnefoy, ESAS — 3 November 2014
Oh? You’re going to take that role from me?
Well, I guess I could always be Rocky… ;)
Luxury, DBS — 3 November 2014
Wanna be Rocky to my Frank right now? ;))))
Jacques Bonnefoy, ESAS — 3 November 2014
In just seven days (and six whole nights), I’m gonna make you [The rest of this comment has been censored due to inappropriate language. We are sorry about the inconvenience. -MM]
Maura Scott, DoSAT — 3 November 2014
If this is science fiction, I’d hate to see a similar take on historical fiction...who am I kidding, I’d love that. Bring it on!
Agen_t, DIC — 3 November 2014
I don’t think this is something I enjoy. Monty Python is better.
Jacques Bonnefoy, ESAS — 3 November 2014
Blasphemy!
Edgar Sullivan, DIC — 3 November 2014
Agreed. Shall we denounce zir as a witch, then?
Jacques Bonnefoy, ESAS — 3 November 2014
Oh, definitely. Remind me how that scene starts?
Agent, DIC — 3 November 2014
/facepalms/
Edgar Sullivan, DIC — 3 November 2014
...maybe I’ll denounce zir on my own.
Nice use of facepalming, by the way, Agent.
Agen_t, DIC — 3 November 2014
Thank you. I think.
Fearn, DTO — 4 November 2014
WERE I NOT A DALEK I WOULD FIND IT DISTRESSING THAT THE ONLY DALEK CAST MEMBER HAS NOT BEEN MENTIONED! AGENT OMICRON PROVED A FINE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DALEK RACE IN THE ROLE OF DOCTOR SCOTT! THE SONG OF “EDDIE’S TEDDY” WAS PERFORMED MASTERFULLY! THE PERFORMANCE WAS ALSO A FINE REPRESENTATION OF THE LONG-EXISTING TENSIONS BETWEEN DALEKS AND TIME LORDS!
The Reader, DIC — 4 November 2014
It actually felt a lot like I was watching a Gallifreyan soap opera, what with all the Time Lords. I mean, we had Dis and the Agent as the young couple, an actual Dalek playing Dr. Scott, and the Notary as narrator/criminologist. It was perfect. I don’t think I can picture this being narrated by anyone but a neckless bureaucrat now. Well done, all.
The Notary, DF — 4 November 2014
How many times do I have tell you cretins that it’s a collar, for Rassilon’s sake?
The Reader, DIC — 4 November 2014
Oh, here we go. Rassilon this, Rassilon that—it’s always about our former Lord President with you, isn’t it? Let me tell you, if you ever get him to pay PPC HQ a visit, I’ll never fill out another form for you ever again. And that’s only the beginning...
Fearn, DTO — 4 November 2014
THE TIME LORDS ARE TRULY WEAK! YOU CLAIM TO RULE THE UNIVERSE AND YET YOU CAN BE DEFEATED BY A LACK OF PAPERWORK!
Kozar, DIC — 5 November 2014
I was impressed by Agent T’Zar’s acting. Vulcans are not known for a love of physicality. I highly commend her performance.
Jean DuVallon, DIC — 5 November 2014
Y’know, speaking of that scene, I could definitely go for some of that dancing from Dis. I’d be really happy to play Rocky in that scene. (Wonder what rehearsals were like… ;))
The Agent, DIC — 5 November 2014
No.
Edgar Sullivan, DIC — 5 November 2014
Honestly, I’m ashamed to have you in my department. Go think about good and appropriate ways to talk for a bit, would you?
The Disentangler, DIC — 5 November 2014
Two things, Jean: 1) I’m old enough to be your great-great-great-great-great grandmother, and 2) the rehearsals were actually really boring. So there. ;)
Brenda Loringham, DMS — 6 November 2014
Boring? How?
The Disentangler, DIC — 6 November 2014
Didn’t you guys notice how much we didn’t touch, despite the lyrics? All those Vulcan sensibilities and whatnot. If Jacques is going to do what he’s threatening to do up there in the earlier comments and play Rocky next year, you might get even more scandalous choreography. I’m not going to be Janet next year, if that’s the case.
Edgar Sullivan, DIC — 6 November 2014
...so, what you’re saying is that it should have been retitled “Touch-a Touch-a Touch-a Don’t Touch Me” for this performance? We must have missed out on so many great call-backs.
The Disentangler, DIC — 6 November 2014
Yeah, why didn’t you guys use that? It’s perfect. Almost as perfect as all the neck jokes and everyone yelling “Sue” at Janet.
The Agent, DIC — 6 November 2014
I nearly broke character when someone shouted “but Daleks can’t do the Can-Can” during the floor show. You guys were hilarious.
Christianne Shieh, DMS — 6 November 2014
My favourite callbacks were “that explains Edward Cullen” during “Sweet Transvestite” and “is your collar compensating for your lack of a neck” when the Notary/Criminologist held up a sign saying that it was a collar during the Time Warp scene!
Nerys Carpenter, DO — 6 November 2014
My favorite was “borrow Jack’s wriststrap” for every time Brad asked to use Frank’s telephone.
The Notary, DF — 6 November 2014
Mine was “beam me up, there’s no intelligent life down here” when Brad called Dr Scott “Scotty”, because I completely agree with it.
The Reader, DIC — 6 November 2014
You would. And I liked “this better be good, we killed you last week”. It was very appropriate, since so many Assassins were in attendance.
Jacques Bonnefoy, ESAS — 6 November 2014
My favourite callback, in case anyone cared to know, was “hey Riffy, show us Laurel” when Riff-Raff opened the coffin during “Time Warp”. Though all of the classic callbacks were also great.
Christianne Shieh, DMS — 7 November 2014
Oh and before I forget, all the “elbow sex” comments too! I mean, they’re an RHPS classic, but they’re especially funny given the context of this performance.
Eledhwen Elerossiel, DMS — 7 November 2014
I think the Calaquendi agents were actually shocked when they first heard those comments.
Christianne Shieh, DMS — 7 November 2014
It’s nice to see them let loose and not be so David Beckham and Posh Spice all the time. Though I’m disappointed that they didn’t use their real hair in the performance.
Eledhwen Elerossiel, DMS — 7 November 2014
I assure you that Naergondir would rather face Melkor’s armies alone than shave his head to play Riff-Raff. It is fact.
Gerda Kent, DOI — 8 November 2014
What’s riff-raff? and Why are you talking about David and heads shaving and elbow sex? I could’nt go because Marsha at the nursury said I’m too young and I was tired from trick or treating anyway.
Dawn McKenna, DMS — 8 November 2014
...please tell me that’s a joke. And if it’s not, please tell me you’re the only kid doing this.
Luxury, DBS — 8 November 2014
I’ll tell you all about it when you’re older, Bradley ;)))
Gerda Kent, DOI — 8 November 2014
okay!!!
Gerda Kent, DOI — 9 November 2014
No, you won’t. - Bradley’s mother
Luxury, DBS — 9 November 2014
I’m going to tell him.
Gerda Kent, DOI — 9 November 2014
Don’t you dare! - Bradley’s mother
—
This was a joint writeup between me and DawnFire, thank you so much for helping and contributing! Also a quick apology to Wobbles for nabbing the Notary for a couple comments without permission; the opportunity presented itself and we are very sorry and will now return her in a hopefully recognisable form (plus another ostentatious collar).
Also posted here.
I got a kick out of this, even if I haven't seen Rocky Horror yet. Yes I'm seventeen and haven't seen it yet don't judge me
I can't wait to see what you come up with next!
My jesting in the previous reply aside, and I don't mean this in a rude or confrontational way at all, but when involving characters of mine in things like this in future I would prefer to at least be asked about it before people go charging full steam ahead? For instance, making up Brad's mother out of whole cloth - I've been trying to find space in my writing to do stuff with that family, and while I've admittedly finished diddly-squat in nearly four years a) I'm making an earnest attempt to fix that, and b) it still would've been nice to check.
Sorry if this is coming off a little blunter than I intended, this early in the morning my filter isn't at its best, but I thought I should bring it up.
Because I thought they were just some random folks whose kid just happened to write to the MM at the tender age of six, and that there wasn't some greater story planned for it.
Wow, I'm sorry about that. Will keep this in mind next time.
Also, i t was hard enough to coordinate me and Dawn for this given our homework workloads, so we didn't really consider adding a third writer to these series of reviews. But if you want to get involved with reviewing As You Like It, then by all means come talk with us on gmail. (It's also possible that there could be two critics for the MM because all this troupe does for the most part is Shakespeare, and as KittyEden pointed out there could be two theater groups and the other handles more contemporary stuff. In that case two critics specializing in two different types of theatre -- classical versus contemporary -- could be needed.)
But yeah, I've actually had Brad Kent and his dad show up in a thing I've written and I'd been considering doing things with those characters on and off, which I probably should've made more clear when we did the Monitor episode but for some reason I assumed y'all just sorta knew because nobody asked. In this specific case it's not a huge deal but I wanted it out there for future reference.
I do sorta like the idea of splitting up the reviews, but I'd also imagined Stan as sort of the main critic - only thing being of course he likes what he likes and is pretty vocal about what he doesn't, and there didn't seem to be a huge amount going on for him to review other than theatre. But lots of places split up critic teams like that. I'll hit you up on gmail.
I'll take note of that, sorry about the confusion.
And yeah, I imagine that he'd do most of the critiquing around here, but maybe he tends to review more contemporary theatre pieces like the Glorious Revolution or other things that (taking Kitty's suggestion) Acting Out has done? I can definitely see a sort of theatre group semi-rivalry (with occasional borrowing and lending of tech and actors and the constant scramble for rehearsal spaces) with A Troupe By Any Other Name.
I mean, it seems weird since Stan is the resident old codger who'd probably really love Shakespeare, but maybe he doesn't like the fact that the Troupe insists on setting Shakespeare in weird locations like Gallifrey and the Vulcan satellite planet (or tidally-locked planet, whatever) T'Khut.
(Actually that might be an interesting setting for a tragedy like Othello, a Vulcan scientific base on T'Khut with a very inhospitable exterior which doesn't allow for escape. Wow. Will have to think this through a bit more.)
It's hard to be all that inflexible when you work somewhere that draws people in from all of creation after all. But I'll talk more of that in email, since I sent it to you like you asked.
(I do like the idea of multiple theatre groups and rivalries and such though. Makes the PPC feel a little more alive - and I admit I'd felt a bit hard up for things for Stan to review.)
Maybe if I ever get around to getting Permission, Agent!Kitty could start a group amongst the younger end. I'm sure she'd be insanely thrilled to do it. And I do mean, 'insanely'.
The first thing she'd do is attempt to get everyone remaking Pitch Perfect and then start getting annoyed when she realized that absolutely no one in the PPC can sing a cappella.
And then she'd do Wicked.
Speaking of which, you should totally do Wicked next! Think of everything that ATBAON could get up to!
Which means that the rival group would probably do more contemporary theatre, and probably musicals too.
However, I would probably die of laughter if the Troupe and Acting Out collaborated for Romeo et Juliette or West Side Story -- and split themselves up into Montague and Capulet camps almost immediately. (I'm more partial to the idea of them doing Romeo et Juliette because it is a lovely adaptation of the original play with some really gorgeous songs and also a COLOUR SCHEME and Mercutio being a cutie patootie who mostly hangs with the Montague boys and oh the Hungarian version is a dystopian AU version and it is gorgeous).
I hate the word, as I hate Sues, all Bad Slashers and thee. Have at thee, coward!
(Sorry, couldn't resist.)
As soon as I get Permission, I may well start up Acting Out.
The Romeo and Juliet would be brilliant, especially if the two people playing Romeo and Juliet were, like, dating or married out of play.
There would be a very complex underplot there.
Part because this is fun stuff, part because it's my critic standin who keeps getting replaced. ;) I like these little jot ups though, and as much as I've not exactly been carrying my weight I like the feel the current Monitor crew gives to the setting.
...that makes me wish that the PPC HQ existed in World One so we could all get together and do this sort of thing every week. Sometimes when I read these, I pretend I was actually there. I love acting! Wish I was a part of A Troupe By Any Other Name.
Sudden idea! Someone could write a rival theatre group called 'Acting Out'.
...what? A bit of healthy rivalry never killed anyone. Well, okay, occasionally it did, but that isn't ever mentioned in my school anymore.
Another wild idea. If I ever get the time to come to a Gathering (and you could even do it without me. But I'd never forgive you) we could write the script for a PPC-themed musical/play in advance, and film it on location.
I'm insane, aren't I? (Checks calendar) Yup, it's my Insanity Day.
If this makes any sense to you, you may nod along. If not, ignore me.
~Kitty
I was going to feel sad that Morgan wasn't included this time, until she pointed out that she was considering auditioning - right up until she saw the Disentangler's dancing. At which point she retired for a night of heavy drinking.
Anyway, fun! I've actually seen Rocky Horror, though only in the same way that Agent Dawn has, so the visuals are right there in my head. The Notary, in particular, has me smirking; I don't know how Wobbles would feel about the fact that the Archetypical Bureaucrat has a (not-so) hidden thespian side, but it amuses me no end.
hS
...I thought I recognized the French names.
Now, I've never actually seen the movie aside from some choice musical snippets on YouTube, but I'm going to join everyone else here and say that this was a hilarious read and that the fake comments section made it even better. Especially the young kid's addition. How did he end up there anyways?
I have no idea how he did it, but since he managed to get a letter to the editor last year, he seems to be accidentally getting into the tech all the time. DoSAT might have a new recruit in about... five to ten years.
I haven't seen the movie IRL, but this is pretty hilarious. I... don't actually recognize any names in here besides Luxury and your agents, though... Well, you do a good job of getting their voices and characters across anyways.
...that so many PPCers have never heard of Rocky Horror. It's one of the most well-known events where publicly MSTing a film/theatre show is encouraged. Wellesley puts on a screening every year, which inspired this writeup.
The other names were mostly taken from the Multiverse Monitor, as SeaTurtle notes above. But thanks!
I don't know the musical, so I'm sure I'm missing jokes in that part, but I absolutely love the comments field! I don't recognize/remember all the PPC characters, but the interactions are still great. I like the Dalek's all-caps typing, and the fact that he (it?) gets ignored by the Time Lords as a group. Also, I almost feel legitimately bad that Luxury missed out. She's free-to-use; she's supposed to get a free pass to everything!
I also like the implication that Marsha is working in the Nursery now, although I thought Laburnum was planning for her to become a DBS agent? (Unless this is a different Marsha, in which case: hurr durr, sorry.)
I'm sure she'd help out the place that took care of her, so it's possible that she'd have been visiting around the time.
I mean it was meant to be the same Marsha but not necessarily working at the Nursery, just happened to be there long enough for a convo with Bradley.
Still don't wanna see the movie IRL, though. Jacques Bonnefoy is the human!France-clone, right?
He's actually a Jack Harkness character replacement from an unfinished mission between Dawn, Outhra, and me, but Dawn and I liked him too much to keep him out of all the fun.
(Yeah instead of foisting eternal punishment on the guy because Jack Harkness is immortal and stuff, we decided to recruit him.)