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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU to dress in costume for Rocky Horror?

59 replies

OnlyFannys · 29/09/2023 22:00

OK don't laugh please 🙈 I'm 37 and going to see rocky horror performance tomorrow. I am debating wearing a (fairly tame) costume of magenta. Basically just a black dress with pinafore over it so a kind of French maid (not sexy, I am not sexy). Last time I went to see it I was about 22 and everyone was dressed up but I just had a wave of anxiety that maybe nobody does that anymore and I can't imagine many things more humiliating than being the only one looking like a plank. Has anyone been recently who can confirm if this is still the done thing?

OP posts:
minipie · 29/09/2023 23:38

Can you look at reviews on google or tripadvisor (unless it’s a one off performance)? These would probably say something about whether there is audience dressing up?

Needmorelego · 29/09/2023 23:48

@minipie people will be dressing up. As I said upthread I have seen this 3 times in the last year and a half. Dressing up is standard.

minipie · 29/09/2023 23:54

Yes, but there’s also two posters saying people weren’t dressed up when they saw it. It clearly varies to some extent depending on venue. That’s why the OP is asking.

wannabetraveler · 29/09/2023 23:59

I don't know about Rocky Horror but this reminded me of an occasion 20 years ago when I went to see/participate in Singalong Sound of Music in That London. We all dressed up - dirndls, nuns' habits, even a doe!

We were the only ones out of hundreds of people to have made a fucking effort dressed up. It was both terrible and hysterical at the same time 😂

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 29/09/2023 23:59

We went a couple of years ago ( we were able to drive there) there were loads of Magentas it's one of the easiest and best outfits Grin

You do need fishnet tights , OTT make-up . Black dress , apron, hat .

If I went on the train I;d have to be Janet , much more subdued

The bloke beside me said "Oh I didn't know it was dress up" (Rocky Horror Virgin , obvs )

Original poster
OnlyFannys · 30/09/2023 00:02

wannabetraveler · 29/09/2023 23:59

I don't know about Rocky Horror but this reminded me of an occasion 20 years ago when I went to see/participate in Singalong Sound of Music in That London. We all dressed up - dirndls, nuns' habits, even a doe!

We were the only ones out of hundreds of people to have made a fucking effort dressed up. It was both terrible and hysterical at the same time 😂

Oh no, the horror 😂😂 at least you were in a group and safe in the knowledge that you were the only reasonable people there.

OP posts:
Needmorelego · 30/09/2023 00:03

@minipie that person was making reference to a cinema showing which could be why people didn't dress up. This is the stage show - dressing up is the thing !!

Original poster
OnlyFannys · 30/09/2023 00:04

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 29/09/2023 23:59

We went a couple of years ago ( we were able to drive there) there were loads of Magentas it's one of the easiest and best outfits Grin

You do need fishnet tights , OTT make-up . Black dress , apron, hat .

If I went on the train I;d have to be Janet , much more subdued

The bloke beside me said "Oh I didn't know it was dress up" (Rocky Horror Virgin , obvs )

Haha yes I'm driving but will need to scuttle accross town from the car park so might get a few looks but I have know bradford quite well and actually an almost middle aged woman in fishnets and heavy make up probably won't stand out too much...

OP posts:
egowise · 30/09/2023 00:05

DO IT!

Who cares what others think!

CastleCrasher · 30/09/2023 00:06

Went to see it last month. Loads of people dressed up for it, some were far from tame!! I was surprised how many did given the venue but glad they did as it does add to the show. I hope you dress up and love the show as much as we did!

Jeannie88 · 30/09/2023 00:10

Show recently up north everyone was dressed up for it, the men by far the most glamorous and left nothing to the imagination!

Original poster
OnlyFannys · 30/09/2023 00:15

Jeannie88 · 30/09/2023 00:10

Show recently up north everyone was dressed up for it, the men by far the most glamorous and left nothing to the imagination!

How to make a girl shiver with antici...

Pation.

OP posts:
randomrandom · 30/09/2023 00:16

Needmorelego · 30/09/2023 00:03

@minipie that person was making reference to a cinema showing which could be why people didn't dress up. This is the stage show - dressing up is the thing !!

Not necessarily. I think I might be one of the posters that minipie is referring to and it was definitely the stage show I'm talking about! The majority didn't dress up, some people did

CrazyHamsterLady · 30/09/2023 00:16

It’s the law sort of to go dressed up to Rocky Horror. I always go as Magenta! Have a fab time, I’m only a little bit jealous 😆

MrsFezziwig · 30/09/2023 00:28

If I went on the train I;d have to be Janet , much more subdued

I went as Janet probably 30 years ago and can assure you there was nothing subdued about my outfit!
Thanks for the memories, @OnlyFannys ! I went with a group of about 20 people and everyone seemed really “meh” about it beforehand, to the extent that I wondered if anyone would even bother getting dressed up. When we convened, everyone had totally gone for it - stockings, corsets, red lipstick, the works (and that was only the men!). Our transport was a Little Nipper bus hired from the Council, if anyone remembers those. It was surreal.

PearlClutzsche · 30/09/2023 00:37

Oh for gawd sakes, yes! You have to.
I went a couple of years ago dressed as Columbia: gold tailcoat, sequin boob tube, shorts, fishnets, red wig... it all adds to the fun.

MercianQueen · 30/09/2023 00:43

I saw it in Bradford (and Leeds) many moons ago as a student and you looked like an absolute idiot if you weren't dressed up. There's precious little point in Rocky Horror if you're not singing along, camp as tits, chucking popcorn at the stage!

MercianQueen · 30/09/2023 00:46

Ooh, I've just remembered Nicholas Parsons was the narrator, looking fabulous in his fishnets and tux. We were so shocked to hear a Radio 4 stalwart dropped the C-bomb!

TimeFlysWhenYoureHavingRum · 30/09/2023 00:55

Went to singalong Rocky Horror at the Prince Charles Leicester Square last week. Most people (including us) were dressed up proper! Londoners are definitely not "too cool". Quite the opposite! Go and have fun !!

peakedatseven · 30/09/2023 00:56

I went a couple of years ago in Manchester dressed as Magenta and most of the audience was dressed up too. Do it!

Willyoujustbequiet · 30/09/2023 01:00

In Newcastle you would be stared at if you didn't dress up.

And don't wear a coat lol.

DimplesToadfoot · 30/09/2023 01:00

I'm with everyone you have to dress up!

I remember going when I was younger, I had to get the bus into town, I got on and went to pay the driver and he said "there's no charge for a ticket to Transylvania" I've never forgotten.

Does everyone still take props, newspapers, toast and kitkats etc I was called a tightwad for throwing a 2finger kit kat, I always took a 4 finger one after that.

My favourite show, I hope you have a blast

Original poster
OnlyFannys · 30/09/2023 01:07

I'm so glad I posted, you have all got me extremely revved up for it now, I forgot how much fun it is (I wasn't aware of the kitkat throwing etiquette so have taken this on board)

OP posts:
Scorchio84 · 30/09/2023 01:12

so glad you've decided to go for it!!! One of my favourite films & also one of my best nights out, I was "Columbia" enjoy!!!!

ladypenelopesfan · 30/09/2023 01:13

Of course you dress up IMO - that's part of the fun!

But as others have said - check with the venue first

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