Two Gippsland performers say landing leading roles in the Maffra Dramatic Society’s upcoming production of The Rocky Horror Show is a dream come true.
The cult musical, made famous by the 1975 film The Rocky Horror Picture Show, will open on March 20 for a two-week run at the The Wedge Performing Arts Centre.
Latrobe Valley locals Britt Young and Alanah Andrews will take on two of the show’s iconic roles, with Young cast as Magenta and Andrews as Columbia.
Young said she had long been a fan of the musical and was thrilled to be part of the production.
“I watched it way too young and fell in love with it,” she said.
“When I think of shows that I love, this has always been right at the top of those lists.
“It encourages you to be bold and brave.”
Young said stepping into the role of Magenta had challenged her to embrace a more confident stage presence.
“Magenta is quite sexy and sensual, which I don’t necessarily feel comes naturally to me,” she said.
“So it’s been a really cool experience to lean into that.”
Andrews said she also discovered the musical at a young age and has been a fan ever since.
“We used to have parties where we would watch Rocky Horror, dress up and sing and dance,” she said.
“I never imagined we’d get the rights to perform this show in community theatre, so when I saw it advertised I thought, ‘this can’t be real’.
“I knew I had to do whatever I could to be part of it.”
She said the musical’s quirky and rebellious nature had helped it remain popular more than 50 years after it first premiered.
“It’s so quirky and out there. Back in the day it was obviously quite shocking for audiences,” she said.
“But even now the message still really hits home.”
Young agreed the musical’s themes of individuality and self-expression were universal.
“I think Rocky Horror is timeless,” she said.
“Being yourself, being brave and being free to be yourself never goes out of fashion.”
Andrews said she had enjoyed stepping into the role of Columbia, originally played by Australian performer Nell Campbell in both the stage production and the 1975 film.
“She’s actually quite a lot like me — a little bit crazy, full of energy and someone who loves to sing, dance and have a good time,” she said.
“But underneath all that, Columbia has a big heart and is fiercely loyal to the people she cares about.”
Young has previously appeared in several local productions, including Maffra Dramatic Society’s 2022 staging of Mamma Mia!, and was recently appointed assistant director for the Latrobe Theatre Company production of & Juliet, which will open later this year.
Outside the theatre, she works as a youth worker in the Latrobe Valley supporting Indigenous young people, but said performing provided a valuable creative outlet.
“I love my job, but it can be quite serious at times, so it’s very nice to clock off and then come to rehearsals and be someone totally different,” she said.
“I think that’s the appeal of theatre for a lot of people.”
Andrews has performed with several local theatre companies, including MoArtz Inc. in Moe, Ghostlight Theatre Warragul, and Latrobe Valley groups Class Act Productions and Next Gen Productions.
A teacher by profession, she said many of the skills used on stage also translate to the classroom.
“They are both about engaging your audience, communicating clearly, being prepared for the unexpected and sometimes having to work hard to win over a tough crowd,” she said.
The production of The Rocky Horror Show will run from March 20 to 29 at The Wedge Performing Arts Centre, with tickets available through the venue’s box office.
Fans are also invited to attend the “Creature of the Night” gala on March 26, where attendees are encouraged to dress up, participate in the show, enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne and compete in a best-dressed costume competition.
