I’m back with more horror! And not the gory torture porn type or elevated stuff (though if you do fancy that, have a look at my reviews for either Spiral: From the Book of Saw or The Night House). No, for a unique change of pace, this time we’re looking at musical horror, or music horror, or whatever you want to call it. Originally I was going to do these two types of horror as separate reviews; however, now looking at what they share in common and the fact I’ve seen two different music-based horrors in the span of a week, one finds it appropriate to do a double feature.
Our first half will cover the live production of The Rocky Horror Show at The Palace Theatre, which shortly after the original 1973 production was adapted into the popular film, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. If you have never watched either version, then you have seriously been living under a rock and missing out (I’m sorry, I don’t make the rules).
The Runner is our review for the second, which I went to see at the Chapeltown Picture House. A film by band Boy Harsher, an American electronic group, The Runner is a different approach to the horror genre, combining the music video styles from the ’80s and electronic music together to make a 40-minute film.
Unlike my last double feature, there is a space in the timeline of when and where I watched both of these. However, it’s the themes they have in common, and what they don’t, that makes the comparison an interesting one to write about. So, as always, let’s dive into the spooky details of these tales.
The Rocky Horror Show – Palace Theatre
The Rocky Horror Show is a cult classic, and over the years the fans of this theatre production / film have increasingly grown. (Worth noting, in a happy coincidence, the opening number is actually called ‘Science Fiction/Double Feature‘!) Anyway, having watched the film adaptation quite a few times (and not just for Tim Curry, though you can’t blame me, he is a handsome devil), I have grown to absolutely adore it alongside other horror musical films like Beetlejuice and Little Shop of Horrors.
And so, Richard O’Brien’s original musical, obviously follows the same narrative, but in a more immersive, interactive and hilarious way. Get ready to clap until your hands drop off and laugh until your lungs shrivel up into raisins, because this musical has the best of both worlds, being a groovy, giggling monster mash of a party.
The main story goes a little something like this: recently engaged sweethearts Brad and Janet get stuck with a flat tire during a storm, forcing them to stop by an eerie mansion, home to Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a bisexual transvestite mad scientist. As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters; and through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named Rocky. As the night goes on, Brad and Janet gradually come to embrace the potent fascinations of seduction.
The Rocky Horror Show (2022) at the Palace Theatre, Oxford Road, Manchester
Iconic Music Numbers, Creative Comedy and Ecstatic Energy
The comedic gold from the film will never not be funny, and so the live performance turns that dial up on comedy to 10. A lot of very sexual jokes, jokes about the Prime Minster (‘It wasn’t a party it was a work meeting’) and some meta commentary on the panto style participation of hardcore fans (of which the shouting of phrases and narrator Philip Franks with his witty responses to the audience really made the show even funnier). Screenings of the film are known for audience participation, but seeing the cult classic live on the stage gives it a new dimension – it’s like a panto for adults in a way, not-quite-PG-friendly phrases and shoutouts that are perfectly timed and will for sure make you roar with uncontrollable laughter.
There are so many great numbers from this show, from Brad and Janet’s song at the start, ‘Over at the Frankenstein Place’, to Frank-N-Furter singing ‘Sweet Transvestite’, and of course Eddie’s song (which feels a bit heartbreaking with recent news of Meat Loaf passing, though the actor for his character really helps bring a little bit of closure). And of course, you can’t forget the almighty ‘Time Warp’ – obviously being the most energetic and colourful song of the bunch! It is different, however, when you’re trying to do the dance in a full house theatre. Although a little cramped to swing my arms up in the air without whacking the person next to me, it was a great experience.
I think I’m a little too obsessed with Frank-N-Furter, because every musical number he starred in I was grinning from ear to ear. The casting for him was especially great, bringing out the flare and charm of the character – plus you could really hear the sassiness in the music. Speaking of cast, only recently I learned that Ore Oduba plays Brad (which is a nice surprise of a figure from my childhood coming back). Hell, all of the cast were absolutely brilliant – they really brought the show to life (ironic).
By the end of the show, after a long standing ovation, the elephant in the room was addressed, and in memory of beloved Meat Load, the cast did the ‘Time Warp’ one last time, and the energy was wild. As a live performance, it really emphasises the characters and story a lot more, making the experience immersive; and for first timers seeing it live like myself, you really get to relive through the feels of seeing it all over again.
The Runner – Chapeltown Picture House
When I say this is a musical horror, I don’t mean like how Rocky Horror is, well, a musical. What I mean is this film is more like a music video, that’s 40 minutes, and has a story (that you have to piece together yourself really). The story, or what elements of it are there, follows a woman, dubbed ‘The Runner’ in the credits, who visits a small town and ends up ensuing madness and death (basically seducing people and ripping their hearts out – lovely).
The Runner is an interesting film that had an artistic tone/mood throughout the scenes. The film did not have a dialogue between characters – their performances were told through facial expressions and body motions (miming). The visual aesthetics for the film was vintage with a classic ’80s slasher vibe but more artistically driven. It’s certainly a film you have to watch a couple of times, which I did – the first viewing at Chapeltown Picture House, and the second on Shudder, a horror streaming platform that is home to tons of great horror films and series.
The Runner (2022) – Boy Harsher
Experimental Cinema, ’80s Aesthetics & Boy Harsher’s Influence
When done right, experimental cinema becomes mesmerising and enjoyable to watch, whilst other times too much experimenting leads to visual and audible vomit (take In the Earth for example). And so the concept to this film reminded me a little bit of Rob Zombie’s House of 1000 Corpses, which meshes music video styles together in an eerie way. There’s parts of this film that made me wonder if there was any metaphorical meaning behind it all, especially with dialogue from the lead singer in the end answering a question about seeing themselves in ‘The Runner’.
Before this film I had no knowledge of who Boy Harsher are or what they do, which changed afterwards, with this film making me research the band and take notice of them. This short film definitely has style to spare and a look that recalls ’80s direct-to-video erotic thrillers mixed with no small amount of blood. It also has somewhat of a making-of mixed in, which is pretty intriguing. The VCR look to the film is a callback to the silver age of horror, with glamorised and stylised horrors, also reminiscent of films like Censor that have used a similar effect. No commentary from the main character or any of the other characters seen throughout really makes it chilling, and when there’s silence in between the music, it’s awkward and uncomfortable and builds tension and curiosity.
Musical Horror vs Music Horror
Despite The Rocky Horror Show being a live production and The Runner being a short film, I’ll be focusing on two things mainly: the genres they belong to and the music they are accompanied by. Both are, to put it plainly, horror. Sub-categories or not, they both belong to that type of genre, even if one is a bit more graphic than the other. Transylvania? A Mad Scientist creating a man? Aliens? Still horror! And it’s the theme of monsters and evil essence and entities that both have. Funnily enough, the idea of sexual encounters and terminology are both present – maybe a lot more in Rocky Horror (you never truly realise how frisky Frank can be), whereas The Runner conveys a more siren or succubus approach.
Then there are the differences – an obvious and major one being the music: Rocky Horror is sexy, raunchy, fantabulous and electric when it comes to its songs – a real party starter to get people up on their feet and grooving (well, that’s if you have space to). The Runner is the opposite – it’s calm, gloomy, eerie and sinister; it mimics the feeling of the unexpected and dread (you could slow dance to it I guess, although I wouldn’t recommend trying to dance in a cinema).
One is a comedy, the other is experimental and serious – though I did find it humorous in one of the scenes where one of the victims just goes “nope” and runs. There’s plenty more differences, like the characters, the setting – hell, even the representation. Too many to go through in one article. But the main point is there’s a difference between musical horror and music horror.
My Overall Thoughts On The Rocky Horror Show & The Runner
With it being my first time seeing an actual live performance of Rocky Horror, I will certainly say the atmosphere is great! With numbers from the original that I’ve almost memorised all the words to, some greatly timed comedy and jokes (my lungs were literally collapsing from laughing that much), overall it was a great live retelling of a classic.
If you’re into experimental films like me and fancy something a little askew and different, The Runner is a film definitely worth taking a look at. Though at first I did feel like I was going to hate it, the ’80s/’90s synth style music and grainy cinematography reminiscent of VHS horror changed my mind. For Boy Harsher fans, I think it takes a deeper dive into the minds of the band members.
For those who have missed it or yet to read it, definitely check out my last double feature for Last Night In Soho & Antlers. And for those wanting more horror? Lucky for you I have plenty of articles to read through (I feel sorry for the editor going through all of them!). My last horror article, Scream, takes a look at the legacy sequel in the series – the 5th entry in a new generation – with a fresh group of teens and another Ghostface on the loose killing them one by one.
Looking for more musicals instead? Fancy a little sing-along? Why not have a read of my article for Bloody Elle: A Gig Musical, a show that is part gig, part musical, and all for LGBTQ+ representation, with a lesbian love story that diverts away from the traditional romance formula.
