50 years of 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show': a time warp through nostalgia

It's incredible to believe that 50 years ago, I stepped into a Durban cinema, worrying that the police would come and arrest us for watching a movie because we were not yet 16 years old.

I'd been to music lessons in Durban the previous Saturday with Simon Kardachi where I bumped into my older cousin, Glenda, and she said excitedly: "T, do yourself a favour and go and see The Rocky Horror Picture Show, it's fabulous, you'll absolutely love it!", adding that in all likelihood the apartheid government would ban it.

So the next Saturday, a friend and I caught the train from Scottburgh to Durban and bought tickets for the movie.

But then the doorman refused to tear our tickets and let us in, saying, "No, no, you're going to have to come to the management office. I don't believe that you're 16, and you have to sign an indemnity, in case the police raid."

We both wrote down assumed names, me using my older brother Graham's name. Just in case.

The reel had already started by the time we got into the pitch-dark cinema, and there were these voluptuous red lips on screen, mouthing: "Michael Rennie was ill the day the Earth stood still, but he told us where we stand."

All the while, ushers were still guiding patrons to their seats using torches, and we both slunk down, expecting cops to burst in and shut the show down, but we were so captivated by the lips on screen. We couldn't help it.

"Then something went wrong, for Fay Wray and King Kong, they got caught in a celluloid jam. Then at a deadly pace, it came from outer space, and this is how the message ran...

All together now: "Science fiction (ooh ooh ooh) double feature..."

Yup, how is that for a time warp? The enigmatic movie is now 50 years old, a cult 1975 film that has enjoyed various itinerations across the globe, and was banned just weeks after I watched it, as my cousin had warned me.

Apparently, they were more freaked out by the subtle suggestion of cannibalism than the cross-dressing Frank N Furter, but it was never really made clear, like much else when it came to the censorship board.

Some say they banned it because too many people - approximately 270 000 - had already flounced into cinemas across the land to watch the fabulously camp flick.

So, you could say that I am shivering with anticipation.

That's because KickstArt theatre company is bringing a stage production of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" to the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre in Durban, from September 18 until October 12.

It is directed by Steven Stead, with set designs by multi-award-winning Greg King, and costume designs by internationally lauded, Monaco-based Terrence Bray.

Evan Roberts is the musical director, leading a live onstage band playing the well-loved score which features classics such as "The Time Warp", "Sweet Transvestite", "Touch-a-Touch Me" and "Damn It, Janet". Choreography is by Simone Mann.

Johannesburg actor, Tshepo Ncokoane, takes on the leading role as the iconic cross-dressing mad scientist, Frank N Furter.

Bryan Hiles plays Brad, Keryn Lynn Scott takes the role of Janet, Schoeman Smit as Riff Raff, Belinda Henwood as Magenta, Kaylee McIlroy as Columbia, William Young as Rocky, Lyle Buxton as Eddie/Dr Scott, and Michael Gritten as The Narrator.

The show also features the talents of Blessing Xaba, Roshanda Lewis, Amahle Tembe and Carl Oosthuizen.