ROCKY READY TO ROLL

FLASHBACK: Original cast members Little Nell (Columbia), Tim Curry (Dr Frank N Furter) and Patricia Quinn (Magenta).

Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/waikatotimes/0,2106,3109690a6579,00.html

26 November 2004 
By SIMON O'ROURKE AND LESTER THORLEY

Rocky Horror Show creator Richard O'Brien hasn't got his outfit ready for tonight's big party in his honour.

Yesterday afternoon, as he met organisers of the show, O'Brien said he was struggling to know how to feel about the Hamilton unveiling of the statue of the character Riff Raff in his honour.

"I think I'm holding myself in check with expectation. I don't even know what I'm going to be wearing."

O'Brien, who will lead a rendition of The Time Warp after the midnight unveiling on Victoria St, said he didn't plan to deviate much from the tried and true Rocky Horror Time Warp, but the sound would be suitably rock and roll: "I think we'll turn up the dirty effect switch on the guitar."

The idea for the statue came from former Hamiltonian Mark Servian four years ago.

He gained $100,000 sponsorship for the statue from the Perry Foundation with the help of Hamilton City Council's marketing department and convinced the political wing to back it.

"It's fantastic," Mr Servian said.

"Last night as we were driving into Hamilton we saw some big searchlights in the sky, and I said to the people I was travelling with, 'that'll be Riff Raff'. I was right."

Bystanders will be able to take part in the main street party, and others will be able to view the spectacle on a big screen to be erected at the end of Hood St.

For those who choose to stay at home, proceedings will be able to be viewed on a live cross TVNZ is planning for its Tonight show. German television crews were also in the city, according to council marketing manager Philip Burton.

"There's international attention because photographers are taking pictures for overseas media," he said.

Crowd numbers were anybody's guess: "I don't know, but Hamilton's buzzing."

The statue was designed by movie special effects experts Weta Workshop in Wellington. It is the first piece of public art Weta has created and is valued at $125,000 - about a quarter of the fee Weta would charge for a privately commssioned job.

Street entertainment is being organised by the city council and Riverlea Theatre, and many people are planning after-show parties.

From 10.30pm fire jugglers and other performers will act as curtain-raisers to the main event.

Organisers are encouraging people to come dressed in their best Rocky Horror costume.

Victoria St, between Hood and Collingwood Sts, will be blocked off from about 5pm today to the early hours of Saturday morning.

A stage adjacent to the statue will host a mini-production in the Rocky Horror theme at 11.40pm.