Half a century later, The Rocky Horror Picture Show continues to unite Canadian fans through camp, queerness, and unapologetic celebration.
Rocky Horror Turns 50: Canada’s Fans Still Do the Time Warp
A Cult Classic’s Canadian Encore
Fifty years after its 1975 release, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is still packing theatres across Canada. The anniversary tour, featuring original cast member Patricia Quinn, made stops in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, and Kitchener this fall — drawing crowds that prove the film’s legacy remains electric.
Quinn, who originated the role of Magenta, says the reaction from audiences has been overwhelming. “When I come on stage, people don’t just clap — they stand up and scream,” the 81-year-old actor said during the Vancouver leg on October 1. “That energy keeps me going.”
A Story That Broke the Mold
When it first hit screens in 1975, The Rocky Horror Picture Show was unlike anything audiences had seen. The plot — a stranded couple seeking shelter in the bizarre castle of the flamboyant Dr. Frank-N-Furter — blended sci-fi, sexuality, and satire in equal measure.
Though critics were divided, the film quickly developed a passionate underground following. Fans began attending midnight screenings dressed as characters, armed with props and irreverent callouts — transforming a box-office flop into a global cultural ritual.
The Enduring Appeal of Queer Freedom
According to Cameron Crookston, cultural studies lecturer at the University of British Columbia, Rocky Horror’s longevity is “unprecedented.”
“The fact that it’s been continuously shown somewhere in the world for 50 years — that’s wild,” he said. “People have a hunger for what it represents.”
For many in the 2SLGBTQ+ community, the film provided one of the first unapologetic depictions of gender nonconformity and queer desire. Crookston notes that its blend of camp, music, and liberation still resonates with students today.
“Older queer audiences often describe Rocky Horror as their introduction to queerness,” he said. “It was radical in its time — and it still feels freeing.”
Complex Legacy in Modern Times
Despite its celebration of difference, The Rocky Horror Picture Show has faced renewed scrutiny. Crookston points out that terms like “transvestite” and “transsexual,” once used playfully, are now seen as outdated or harmful.
“It’s not a guide to gender identity,” he explained. “It’s more like reading Freud in psychology — outdated, but foundational. You can critique it and still honour its influence.”
A Fan Experience Like No Other
Drag performer Shelita Cox, based in Victoria, B.C., says the live Rocky Horror experience remains a space of joy and belonging.
“It’s beautiful — it feels like chosen family,” she said. “The straight couple are the outsiders for once, and everyone else gets to just exist as themselves.”
From tossing rice to dancing through “The Time Warp,” Cox says the audience’s participation is part of the magic. “It’s over-stimulating in the best way,” she laughed. “Every show feels different — but it’s always a good time.”
A Celebration That Keeps Evolving
For Quinn and her fans, the 50th anniversary tour is both a celebration and a reminder of why The Rocky Horror Picture Show refuses to fade. The film’s message — to embrace individuality, pleasure, and rebellion — remains timeless.
As original star Tim Curry once said, “It gives anyone permission to behave badly. Whatever your version of badly is, enjoy it.”
Half a century later, Canadian audiences are still taking that advice — one “Time Warp” at a time.
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