Still The Beast Is Feeding: 40 Years of Rocky Horror

by Rob Bagnall, Phil Barden

Born in a tiny attic theatre on a dark and stormy night in the Summer of 1973, The Rocky Horror Show was an immediate hit with audiences and critics alike, and a much-needed shot in the arm for London's jaded theatre-scene.

Four decades on, Richard O'Brien's hilarious cross-dressing tribute to trashy B-movies, '50s sci-fi, sexual liberation, gothic horror and rock 'n' roll has been seen in over 30 countries and translated into more than 20 languages, and it continues to pull in the crowds and attract legions of new fans, while the 1975 film version - now the longest continually playing theatrical release in cinema history - generated an unparalleled cult following which took the concept of audience participation to unheard of levels of immersive enthusiasm.

Exhaustively researched, this book chronicles the extraordinary history, continued evolution and enduring legacy of this immortal tale of a sex-crazed transvestite scientist, extra-terrestrial subterfuge, corruption of the innocent and the creation of life. Incorporating a wealth of archival material, personal memories and new interviews with contributors and participants from every era of Rocky Horror history, the authors explore the show's origins and influences; the creation of the original London stage production; the numerous national and international revivals; the making of the movie; and the fanatical fishnet following which continues to define the Rocky Horror experience.

So, 'throw open the switches on the Sonic Oscillator', and celebrate a monstrous musical milestone as The Rocky Horror Show turns forty.

Genres: Nonfiction

394 pages, Paperback

First published August 25, 2013

Reviews

[Ashley Lambert-Maberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

It started well: there was clearly an awful lot of research done, and numerous interviews with so many people (although, apparently, not some of the more famous ones: there's a lot of quoting from other people's interviews).

Eventually it became a bit draggy, and I started to notice how repetitive it was (hard to notice that at the beginning, because the repetitions haven't started). And then not just repetitive, but so trivial. Where was the editor? Not everything that anyone ever mentioned about the various incarnations of this show needs to be published.

(I get it, it's a hard thing for an author, whether fiction or non-fiction, or simply writing an e-mail: how specific should we be? This book errs wildly in the wrong direction of being as specific and detailed as possible, and almost never sums up in lieu of providing more direct examples).

By the 49% mark (I'm reading on Kindle) I thought "I no longer care what happens to this show, its cast, its creators, or its audience. I want to read something else." And so I will.

It started well in that she has a lively authorial voice, and I thought I was in for a treat, but she's like that dinner guest who just won't shut up and turns every topic into a chance for her to regale you with the delights of her last vacation.

(Note: I'm a writer, so I suffer when I offer fewer than five stars. But these aren't ratings of quality, they're a subjective account of how much I liked the book: 5* = an unalloyed pleasure from start to finish, 4* = really enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = disappointing, and 1* = hated it.)

[L J Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second time visiting this book since it’s release and its still a lot of fun! Informative, anecdotal and filled with a lot of love for Rocky, it’s perfect for any fan.

[Kieran Kimberley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully researched and thoroughly entertaining. The book is full of droll anecdotes and witticisms, cleverly woven into a succinct and informative writing style. With as much (if not more) pastiche and cultural reference as it's beloved subject, 'Still The Beast is Feeding' is not so much a companion, but more of a frequent lover to all things Rocky Horror.

[Derelict Space Sheep · Rating 3 out of 5]

42 WORD REVIEW:

An overtly fannish (mostly in a good way, though sometimes belaboured) depiction of the Rocky Horror Show’s genesis and metamorphoses — the production was cocooned in film and reborn numerous times on stage amidst a mounting scourge of audience participation — across four decades.

[Nigel Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting look at all the different concepts and versions.