Unit 8 Proposal
Section 1 – Rationale (approx. 100 words)
Through Units 1 to 6 I have learnt many different skills and techniques as well as improving on areas of weakness:
- In ‘I Object’ I learnt about devising and preparing for a specific performance space.
- I also learnt how different elements work together to have an impact on the audience such as spacing, projection and costume/props.
- By having contrasting musical theatre performance pieces, from 'Wicked' and 'Cinema Italiano' to the 'Addams Family', I have learnt a lot about adapting to specific styles and the importance of characterisation through song.
PRODUCTION SKILLS
- I have learnt how to work with others to create performance ideas and devise movement.
- Rehearsing and refining performances by watching videos back and looking for ways to improve.
- Sourcing and using props appropriate to the style of the piece, for example, 'Little Shop of Horrors' where I found an old cash register in the props cupboard for the shop.
- Creating pieces of set such as signs and the flower wall in 'Little Shop of Horrors' .
PERFORMANCE SKILLS
- Adapting quickly to an unfamiliar space, for example in our performance of 'Cinema Italiano' where we had less space than we had rehearsed in.
- I feel I have stayed confident in all final performances held in the theatre.
- I watched videos back and thought about how I could perform in a more effective way.
- My ability to stay in character is very strong.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- I have worked on my range in singing, particularly projecting lower notes for my duet in the Unit 5 and 6 performance.
- I am stronger in my dance abilities and skills such as turns and kicks.
- I've improved my breath control in singing, singing well whilst dancing in 'Cinema Italiano' and 'Little Shop of Horrors'.
DEVISING SKILLS
- I took on joint responsibility in choreographing 'Prologue' with Tilia.
- I devised work for 'I Object' and learnt about working as a team to produce ideas
- Solo devising work in units 1 and 2 induction gave me more confidence in my creative abilities which I hope to carry forward to units 7 and 8.
These skills have helped to influence my project proposal and pathway as a lot of them correspond to the genre and requirements of Rocky Horror, such as the specific style of dance and acting and the sort of research I would need to conduct.
Section 2 – Project concept (approx. 200 words)
This show also follows nicely in the footsteps of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ as it is of the same genre and was also created as a parody of the ‘B Movie'. I think that putting on a cut down version of this show from beginning to end would be very achievable for our group and that the range of characters could easily work for our group.
I think it would give me the opportunity to continue working on my choreographing skills as there are lots of dance numbers which are very stylistic in their choreography. In terms of the production elements, I think we have a good variety of skills in the group to cover costume, makeup and props with help from the production arts students.
The time frame we have may be quite short however I believe that as this is such an energetic and crazy show the motivation will be there for us to get the show ready in time.
Section 3 - Evaluation (approx. 50 words)
During this project, I will log all our rehearsal process as well as including videos of progress along with some reflection to aid improvement and development of the piece. I will also do relevant research tasks about my character and the history of the piece, to make sure I fully understand the plot and the intentions behind the piece and the individual characters. Lastly, I will record my progress with any choreography I have been assigned to make.
Project Timeline
Week 1 (01/04-04/04):
Become familiar with the script, think about what additional role I would like to take on, start adding some vocal characterisation into the lines.
Week 2 (22/04-25/04):
To block Act 1 and begin working on the main songs in the show / beginning songs e.g. 'Time Warp'. I would like to start thinking more about my physicality when playing Riff Raff particularly in the beginning scenes that lead up to the end of Act One. I would also like to start thinking about my choreography for 'Hot Patootie' so that I can teach it to others and start refining it.
Week 3 (29/04-02/05):
To finish and teach my chorehraphy for 'Hot Patootie' to the rest of the class. To block until the end of the show, to learn all my lines for Act One.
Week 4 (07/05-09/05):
To make sure I am familiar with any choreography I have been taught and memorise the songs and my lines.
Week 5 (13/05-16/05):
To practise all my lines so that I am delivering them effectively and watch different versions of Rocky Horror online so that I am completely familiar with the structure and can take inspiration from other interpretations of the character. To prepare for the tech week by practising cues and choreography for songs.
Week 6 (20/05-23/05):
To tech the show and continue to rehearse and refine it until the performances.
Proposed research sources and bibliography (Harvard format)
Grimshaw, C. (2011). Tim Curry talks about the Rocky Horror Picture Show 1975. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5sTIGLo79g&authuser=0 [Accessed 01 Apr. 2019].
YouTube. (2017). The Rocky Horror Picture Show | Everything You Ever Wanted To Know. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_7cjGSur-M [Accessed 01 Apr. 2019].
Rockyhorror.com. (n.d.). TRHPS Official Fan Site: History: Rocky Horror Timeline. [online] Available at: http://www.rockyhorror.com/history/timeline.php [Accessed 01 Apr. 2019].
Here is my Unit 7 proposal presentation:
Unit 7 Presentation
(slides shown in video)
My audiution for my role in Rocky Horror
The role I was hoping to get in Rocky Horror was Janet however I was also willing to branch out into some trickier roles such as Riff Raff or Magenta. Here are the videos of my audition:
Song:
I think that my projection and characterisation in this song was good however I could have been more confident and had more stage presence when performing. I also think that on reflection this song would have sounded better with a backing track and would have helped guide me on how long to hold each of my notes. In the future I will make sure I am completely comfortable in playing the character so I can perform the song to the best of my ability.
Monologue:
In my monologue I felt when watching it that I visually portrayed the character quite well however when performing I didn't feel fully connected to the character and I felt there was a lot more to come in terms of fluidity and variation in the way I say the different lines. I was also given some feedback from our acting teacher in the next lesson to slow down on some parts and to add more variety in my pace.
We gave each other feedback then wrote the role we think they best suited in the production we are doing- 'Rocky Horror Show'.
I received the following feedback from my classmates:
What Went Well
- good pitching in my song
- strong characterisation through song
- clear diction
- good projection and expression
- good gestures in monologue
- clear imagery and imagination of the coffee table
- good emotions in monologue
- confidence in song was clear
- strong characterisation with some good moments in monologue
- notes in the song were sustained well
- know monologue better so that it could be delivered with more confidence
- make monologue smoother and more fluid
- stay more grounded in both monologue and song
Project Workshop Context
01/04/19
Interview with Tim Curry about playing the role of Frank n Furter:
- Tim Curry was the first to play Frank n Furter
- He then went on to play the role in the film version of the Muscial
- He played the role for 7 years, in various locations
- He was in the cast of Hair previous to his role in The Rocky Horror Picture Show
- He thought that the musical wasn't worth doing unless they took a risk
- They originally took a smaller venue so charge for tickets was lower
- It then moved to Kings Road theatre
- He played the role in London then in LA
- The role was very physically exhausting to play
- Originally tried doing the role in a German accent, then American, then English.
- The English accent was what they eventually decided on
YouTube. (2011). Tim Curry talks about the Rocky Horror Picture Show 1975. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5sTIGLo79g&has_verified=1 [Accessed 16 Jun. 2019].
About the show...
Synopsis of Rocky Horror Picture Show:
The story starts with Janet and Brad who have just come from a wedding. Brad proposes on their journey to visit an ex-tutor, Dr Scott. Their car suddenly breaks down and they are left stranded so walk to a nearby castle to seek help.
They are met by Riff Raff who invites them in and after their request to use a phone is ignored they walk into a completely mad and eccentric group of 'people' who start doing the 'Time Warp' dance. They then meet Frank who is a cross-dressed man who invites them to stay. They have arrived just in time for the birth of Frank's new creation, Rocky.
They are later tricked by Frank into having sex with him and Janet discovers her sexual side and desires. They find out one another had sex with Frank and get into an argument. The story ends with Riff Raff turning on Frank and revealing his true intentions. He then proceeds to kill Columbia, Frank and Rocky. Eddie is killed by Frank earlier on in the story.
Characters:
Frank:
Frank is the master of the house and has a very fluid sense of sexuality and gender. He describes himself as a 'sweet transvestite' and coerces Brad and Janet into sleeping with him.
Janet:
Janet is an ordinary girl who has just graduated high school. She gets engaged to Brad at the beginning of the show and they decide to visit their old science teacher, Dr Scott. She starts to explore her sexuality and lose her innocence upon entering the castle.
Brad:
Brad is Janet's fiancee. When Brad and Janet's car breaks down as they get caught in a storm, Brad suggests they walk back to the castle they recently passed. It is here they are met by Riff Raff, one of Frank's servants.
Riff Raff:
Riff Raff is one of Frank's servants who initially welcomes Brad and Janet into the castle. He has a sister called Magenta and although he seems loyal to his master he eventually betrays him and shoots the other characters in the castle with his sister so that they may return to the planet Transexual by themselves.
Magenta:
Magenta is Riff Raff's sister. She is a servant to Frank however eventually betrays him and accompanies Riff Raff in his plot to murder all of them.
Columbia:
Columbia is another one of Frank's servants however she does not come from the same planet as they do. She is a bubbly fun character who is in love with Eddie. Eventually, this love for Eddie is what drives her away from Frank, as Frank kills him as soon as Rocky is born.
Eddie:
Eddie is one of Frank's play boys that he uses to keep himself entertained. However, as soon as Rocky is born Frank kills Eddie.
Rocky:
Rocky is Frank's latest creation who is a muscly man based on the Charles Atlas model of the perfect man.
Dr Scott
Dr Scott is the science teacher that Janet and Brad intended to go and see at the beginning of the show. He appears towards the end of the show as he enters the castle and exposes the true identity of the characters in the castle. He is also the uncle of Eddie.
Further Research
Loosely based on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
Rocky Horror Timeline:
1972
- Richard O Brien starting working on Rocky Horror.
- Pitched to Jim Sharman former collaborator Australian director with the first song.
- Gave O Brien £2000 to put on a 5-week show run showing in the rehearsal space at royal court upstairs falling in love with song 'Science Fiction Double Feature'.
- O Brien hoped to cast the show mostly from former associates
- Hoped for Marianne Faithful for Magenta but she wasn't available so Patricia Quinn was ultimately cast and she had been in several productions with O'Brien.
- Little Nell Campbell, a tap dancing street performer, was cast as Columbia. She had collaborated with Jim Sharman in some Australian productions before this.
- Brad and Janet were played by Christopher Malcolm and Julie Cobenton, former colleges of O'Brien. They saw the show through the initial run.
- O'Brien scouted gymnasiums for athletes who could sing as he wanted a muscular finger to play Frank.
- Tim Curry asked for the part of Frank, and O'Brien was blown away with his audition despite having different people in mind.
- Frank n Furter's look was based on the evil queen from Snow White and Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmatians.
- Curry was given creative freedom and overheard two old lady on a bus and stole the accent he eventually gave to Frank n Furter
1973
- Opened at Royal Court Upstairs with a full house of 63 people on June 19th.
- Transferred to Chelsea classic cinema to accommodate a larger audience due to the increased popularity
- Moved again to West End home; The Kings Road theatre, London
- After 2,960 performances the show finally closes in 1980
1974
- Won the Evening Standard award for best musical, attended by Lou Adler, owner of Ode Records
- He saw potental of show and purchased US Theatre rights
- Premiered at the Los Angeles Roxy theatre, the show has a successful 9 month run
- Meat loaf played Eddie and Dr Scott
- Movie version started filming at Oakley Court/ Bray Studios
- Riff Raff played by O'Brien
- Movie was initially a fail as audiences were offended by the graphic scenes
People of closeted nature felt they could express themselves through this movie and would keep watching it.
1977
- Expressive themes were praised by many and it was re-released in 1977
- 'Shock Treatment' was made as a sequel to the 'Rocky Horror Picture Show', however, this failed to find an audience.
2016
- Fox revitalised the movie 'Lets do the Time Warp again', this was not a success and was criticised for being badly cast and executed.
The Rocky Horror Picture show is the longest running stage production in history and greatest cult movie of all time
Some Fun Facts about the show/ movie:
- Inspired by Wizard of Oz the movie was intended to be in black and white until the 'Time Warp' song.
- Show had fans such as Elvis Presley, Carol King, Keith Moon and Princess Diana
- Elvis Presley was keen on the role of Eddie
- Name changed to signify move from theatre to screen
- Parody of 20th-Century Fox theme was included; the first time it had been altered.
- Subtle appearances by the main cast at the beginning
- Lots of hidden comedic elements like mock paintings
- Also Easter eggs were hidden on the set although most were removed
- Frank wears a pink triangle pointing upwards which is a symbol of gay pride
- Steve Martin auditioned for Brad and Mick Jagger auditioned for Frank
- Reused props from other movies such as tank reused from the return of Frankenstein
- Charles Atlas inspired Rocky and would use tag lines 'Don’t dream it, be it' and 'I’m gonna make you a man'
- Columbia and Magenta were originally written as one character
- In Germany it is the longest running movie to be showing
- Two video games inspired by the movie - where you had to stop people from taking your clothes
YouTube. (2017). The Rocky Horror Picture Show | Everything You Ever Wanted To Know. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_7cjGSur-M [Accessed 16 May. 2019].
Rockyhorror.com. (n.d.). TRHPS Official Fan Site: History: Rocky Horror Timeline. [online] Available at: http://www.rockyhorror.com/history/timeline.php [Accessed 16 May. 2019].
LGBT Rights in the UK
The Buggery Act of 1533 was the first law made against male homosexuality and was passed by parliment during the reign of Henry VIII. Convictions under this law were punishable by death.
It was only in 1861 that the death penalty was abolished for acts of homosexuality. Instead, a minimum scentence of 10 years in prison was given.
However, in 1885, the Criminal Law Amendment Act meant even unwitnessed male homosexual acts could be prosecuted. This new law sent Oscar Wilde to prison in 1895.
Female homoesexuality was never targeted by governement laws however a discussion took place in parliment in 1921 which failed to carry through due to fear of this encouraging people to begin experimenting with female homosexuality.
Transgender identities began to surface in the post-war period, with Michael Dillon publishing 'Self: A Study in Endocrinology' in 1946. This book detailed the life of the first transgender man to undergo phalloplasty surgery. Dillon wrote in the book ‘Where the mind cannot be made to fit the body, the body should be made to fit, approximately at any rate, to the mind.’
In May 1951, A former WWII spitfire pilot became the first transgender woman to have a vaginoplasty in the UK.
Meanwhile, there was a rise in arrests/prosecution of homosexual men after WWII including that of Alan Turing, this rise in arrests caused some questioning into the legal systems place in the prosecution of homosexuals.
The Report of the Departmental Committee on Homosexual Offences and Prostitution, better known as the Wolfenden Report, was published in 1957. It provided evidence that homosexuality could not legitametely be regarded as a disease. The Wolfenden Report recommended that 'homosexual behaviour between consenting adults in private should be no longer a criminal offence'.
It took 10 years for the goverment to put this report into place, in the Sexual Offences Act of 1967. This new law allowed men over the age of 21 who were both consenting to perform homosexual acts in private. Whilst this was a step towards equality there was still a long way to go.
In 1966, the Beaumont Society was set up to spread awareness of 'tranvestism'. This society is now one of the UK's largest and longest running support group for transgender people and their families.
In response to police brutality directed at LGBT members in the Stonewall Riots of 1969 the Gay Liberation Front was founded in 1970. This foundation fights for the rights of LGBT members and urges them to question social standards. This movement led to the first pride march taking place in 1972 which is now an annual event.
When the GLF disbanded in late 1973, the Campaign for Homosexual Equality started to lead the fight for equality. Age of consent equality did not come in to place until 2001 in England.
Section 28 of the Local Government Act of 1988, which was brought into the conservative government under maragert thatcher, banned local authorities from promoting homosexuality, the legislation stopped the discussion of LGBT issues. The Act was repealed in 2003 and David Cameron apolagised for the Act in 2009.
In 2004 the Civil Rights Act was passed allowing same sex couples to enter a legally binding relationship. In 2013 it became legal for same sex couples to get married just like a regular couple.
The Gender Recognition Act of 2004 (which came into effect in 2005) gave transgender people the option to change their gender on their birth certificate however the options are still limited to either female or male.
Bibliography:
Dryden, S. (n.d.). A Short History of LGBT Rights in the UK. [online] The British Library. Available at: https://www.bl.uk/lgbtq-histories/articles/a-short-history-of-lgbt-rights-in-the-uk [Accessed 2 May. 2019].
Glam Rock
What was ‘Glam Rock’ and when did the movement start in the U.K?
Glam Rock was a musical movement that began in Britan in the early 1970s. It often consisted of men taking the stage in flamboyant makeup and clothing that would be considered more something a female might wear, often covered in glitter. They adopted theatrical personas and put on glamorous productions often about space futurism. (Guar, 1998)
What was Glam Rock a ‘reaction’ against?
How did it differ from the music movements that preceded it in the mid-late 60’s (e.g The Hippies / Prog’ Rock etc)?
Self-glorifying and decadent, Glam Rock positioned itself as a backlash against the
rock mainstream of the late 1960s; on the periphery of society and rock culture, glam
rockers were, as critic Robert Palmer put it, “rebelling against the rebellion.” (Guar, 1998)
What were the characteristic elements of Glam Rock?
At Glam’s core musically was a heavy guitar sound shaped by hard-rock and pop styles,
though the movement also had heavy metal, art rock, and punk incarnations. (Guar, 1998)
What influences can you see from Glam Rock in Rocky Horror Show?
Consider gender roles, costumes, design, musical numbers and themes.
Rocky Horror starts to question gender roles as Frank dresses himself as a woman, just like the Glam Rock era encouraged. The costumes are not quite as obviously linked however there are glitter elements in the show in both the set and costume. For example Columbia's costume, Rocky's shiny shorts and the feather boas.
The main musical numbers that link to this movement include 'Hot Patootie', the song that Eddie sings which is clearly the Rock and Roll song of the show which is what Glam Rock derived from. The rest of the songs all link loosely to the Glam Rock style; songs based on Rock and Roll style but glamorised. Sci-Fi themes in Rocky Horror mirror those of the Glam Rock era, Riff Raff and Magenta re-appear towards the end of the show in extra terrestrial costumes and reveal themselves as aliens.
Briefly discuss the David Bowie concept album ‘The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars’- How does the character and narrative of Bowie’s alter-ego link to Rocky Horror show and its characters/themes?
David Bowie's concept album is based on an alter ego he created for himself. The Alter ego is called Ziggy Stardust and is an androgynous, bisexual rock star who acts as a messenger for extraterrestrial beings (En.wikipedia.org, 2019). This alter ego links to the character of Frank in the androgynous and bisexual aspects as he cross dresses and sleeps with both Brad and Janet. This concept album also aims to break social taboos and explore sexuality which are both the main themes in Rocky Horror.
Why do you think that an ‘Extra-terrestrial’ character/figure may have been used to portray difference from the social, sexual and cultural norms of the early 1970’s? What were artists and writers like David Bowie and Richard O’Brien suggesting about their views and perceived place in mainstream culture and society?
The idea of the Extraterrestrial character links to a person who doesn't conform to the social standards and sticks out amongst society for being different in some way. This is because they come from a different planet with different ideas of everything so using the extraterrestrial aspect in Rocky horror helps to emphasise the point O'Brien is making.
Bibliography:
Encyclopedia Britannica. (2013). Glam rock | music. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/art/glam-rock [Accessed 16 May 2019].
Elliott, M. (2017). Children Of The Revolution: How Glam Rock Changed The World. [online] uDiscoverMusic. Available at: https://www.udiscovermusic.com/in-depth-features/how-glam-rock-changed-world/ [Accessed 16 May 2019].
Guar, A. (1998). Glam rock | music. [online] Encyclopedia Britannica. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/art/glam-rock [Accessed 13 May 2019].
The Buggery Act of 1533 was the first law made against male homosexuality and was passed by parliment during the reign of Henry VIII. Convictions under this law were punishable by death.
 |
| Buggery Act of 1533 |
It was only in 1861 that the death penalty was abolished for acts of homosexuality. Instead, a minimum scentence of 10 years in prison was given.
However, in 1885, the Criminal Law Amendment Act meant even unwitnessed male homosexual acts could be prosecuted. This new law sent Oscar Wilde to prison in 1895.
Female homoesexuality was never targeted by governement laws however a discussion took place in parliment in 1921 which failed to carry through due to fear of this encouraging people to begin experimenting with female homosexuality.
Transgender identities began to surface in the post-war period, with Michael Dillon publishing 'Self: A Study in Endocrinology' in 1946. This book detailed the life of the first transgender man to undergo phalloplasty surgery. Dillon wrote in the book ‘Where the mind cannot be made to fit the body, the body should be made to fit, approximately at any rate, to the mind.’
In May 1951, A former WWII spitfire pilot became the first transgender woman to have a vaginoplasty in the UK.
Meanwhile, there was a rise in arrests/prosecution of homosexual men after WWII including that of Alan Turing, this rise in arrests caused some questioning into the legal systems place in the prosecution of homosexuals.
The Report of the Departmental Committee on Homosexual Offences and Prostitution, better known as the Wolfenden Report, was published in 1957. It provided evidence that homosexuality could not legitametely be regarded as a disease. The Wolfenden Report recommended that 'homosexual behaviour between consenting adults in private should be no longer a criminal offence'.
It took 10 years for the goverment to put this report into place, in the Sexual Offences Act of 1967. This new law allowed men over the age of 21 who were both consenting to perform homosexual acts in private. Whilst this was a step towards equality there was still a long way to go.
In 1966, the Beaumont Society was set up to spread awareness of 'tranvestism'. This society is now one of the UK's largest and longest running support group for transgender people and their families.
In response to police brutality directed at LGBT members in the Stonewall Riots of 1969 the Gay Liberation Front was founded in 1970. This foundation fights for the rights of LGBT members and urges them to question social standards. This movement led to the first pride march taking place in 1972 which is now an annual event.
When the GLF disbanded in late 1973, the Campaign for Homosexual Equality started to lead the fight for equality. Age of consent equality did not come in to place until 2001 in England.
Section 28 of the Local Government Act of 1988, which was brought into the conservative government under maragert thatcher, banned local authorities from promoting homosexuality, the legislation stopped the discussion of LGBT issues. The Act was repealed in 2003 and David Cameron apolagised for the Act in 2009.
In 2004 the Civil Rights Act was passed allowing same sex couples to enter a legally binding relationship. In 2013 it became legal for same sex couples to get married just like a regular couple.
The Gender Recognition Act of 2004 (which came into effect in 2005) gave transgender people the option to change their gender on their birth certificate however the options are still limited to either female or male.
Bibliography:
Dryden, S. (n.d.). A Short History of LGBT Rights in the UK. [online] The British Library. Available at: https://www.bl.uk/lgbtq-histories/articles/a-short-history-of-lgbt-rights-in-the-uk [Accessed 2 May. 2019].
Glam Rock
What was ‘Glam Rock’ and when did the movement start in the U.K?
Glam Rock was a musical movement that began in Britan in the early 1970s. It often consisted of men taking the stage in flamboyant makeup and clothing that would be considered more something a female might wear, often covered in glitter. They adopted theatrical personas and put on glamorous productions often about space futurism. (Guar, 1998)
What was Glam Rock a ‘reaction’ against?
How did it differ from the music movements that preceded it in the mid-late 60’s (e.g The Hippies / Prog’ Rock etc)?
Self-glorifying and decadent, Glam Rock positioned itself as a backlash against the
rock mainstream of the late 1960s; on the periphery of society and rock culture, glam
rockers were, as critic Robert Palmer put it, “rebelling against the rebellion.” (Guar, 1998)
What were the characteristic elements of Glam Rock?
At Glam’s core musically was a heavy guitar sound shaped by hard-rock and pop styles,
though the movement also had heavy metal, art rock, and punk incarnations. (Guar, 1998)
What influences can you see from Glam Rock in Rocky Horror Show?
Consider gender roles, costumes, design, musical numbers and themes.
Rocky Horror starts to question gender roles as Frank dresses himself as a woman, just like the Glam Rock era encouraged. The costumes are not quite as obviously linked however there are glitter elements in the show in both the set and costume. For example Columbia's costume, Rocky's shiny shorts and the feather boas.
The main musical numbers that link to this movement include 'Hot Patootie', the song that Eddie sings which is clearly the Rock and Roll song of the show which is what Glam Rock derived from. The rest of the songs all link loosely to the Glam Rock style; songs based on Rock and Roll style but glamorised. Sci-Fi themes in Rocky Horror mirror those of the Glam Rock era, Riff Raff and Magenta re-appear towards the end of the show in extra terrestrial costumes and reveal themselves as aliens.
Briefly discuss the David Bowie concept album ‘The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars’- How does the character and narrative of Bowie’s alter-ego link to Rocky Horror show and its characters/themes?
David Bowie's concept album is based on an alter ego he created for himself. The Alter ego is called Ziggy Stardust and is an androgynous, bisexual rock star who acts as a messenger for extraterrestrial beings (En.wikipedia.org, 2019). This alter ego links to the character of Frank in the androgynous and bisexual aspects as he cross dresses and sleeps with both Brad and Janet. This concept album also aims to break social taboos and explore sexuality which are both the main themes in Rocky Horror.
Why do you think that an ‘Extra-terrestrial’ character/figure may have been used to portray difference from the social, sexual and cultural norms of the early 1970’s? What were artists and writers like David Bowie and Richard O’Brien suggesting about their views and perceived place in mainstream culture and society?
The idea of the Extraterrestrial character links to a person who doesn't conform to the social standards and sticks out amongst society for being different in some way. This is because they come from a different planet with different ideas of everything so using the extraterrestrial aspect in Rocky horror helps to emphasise the point O'Brien is making.
Bibliography:
Encyclopedia Britannica. (2013). Glam rock | music. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/art/glam-rock [Accessed 16 May 2019].
Elliott, M. (2017). Children Of The Revolution: How Glam Rock Changed The World. [online] uDiscoverMusic. Available at: https://www.udiscovermusic.com/in-depth-features/how-glam-rock-changed-world/ [Accessed 16 May 2019].
Guar, A. (1998). Glam rock | music. [online] Encyclopedia Britannica. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/art/glam-rock [Accessed 13 May 2019].
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