World Scenography 1975-1990
The Rocky Horror Show
Brian Thomson (Australia)
& Sue Blane (UK)
Set & Costume Design
The Rocky Horror Show began its life at the Upstairs Theatre at the Royal Court Theatre in London in 1973. Brian Thomson and Jim Sharman had already worked together on a number of productions in Australia and
London, and neither of them could have anticipated the worldwide phenomenon that Rocky would become. Their work together precipitated an entirely new approach to design in the Australian theatre. This was one of Sue Blane’s first professional productions as a solo designer, and undoubtedly her big break. Designing for this production led her to design the US version,
and later the costumes for the movie as well as the sequel. So intrinsic is her connection to the design of the show that her name is now part of the audience participation script for the production. She has since gone on to design for opera, musical, theatre and
dance, returning regularly to design any new productions of Rocky Horror in the UK.
The work, and its outrageous costumes, has inspired many interpretations, recreations, and homages, not only in theatre, but also in fashion, make-up, and music. The success of the show and its popular design confirmed the success of the Royal Court’s black box studio, the Theatre Upstairs, which had opened three
years earlier.
The production has become part of popular culture, and the costume designs have played a big part in that, often recreated down to tiny details for audience participation nights and fancy dress or Rocky Horror-themed parties. Blane has received both an MBE and the Royal Designer for Industry award for services to
theatre design.
Images posted with permission by editors
World Scenography 1975-1990
The Rocky Horror Show
Brian Thomson (Australia)
& Sue Blane (UK)
Set & Costume Design
The Rocky Horror Show began its life at the Upstairs Theatre at the Royal Court Theatre in London in 1973. Brian Thomson and Jim Sharman had already worked together on a number of productions in Australia and
London, and neither of them could have anticipated the worldwide phenomenon that Rocky would become. Their work together precipitated an entirely new approach to design in the Australian theatre. This was one of Sue Blane’s first professional productions as a solo designer, and undoubtedly her big break. Designing for this production led her to design the US version,
and later the costumes for the movie as well as the sequel. So intrinsic is her connection to the design of the show that her name is now part of the audience participation script for the production. She has since gone on to design for opera, musical, theatre and
dance, returning regularly to design any new productions of Rocky Horror in the UK.
The work, and its outrageous costumes, has inspired many interpretations, recreations, and homages, not only in theatre, but also in fashion, make-up, and music. The success of the show and its popular design confirmed the success of the Royal Court’s black box studio, the Theatre Upstairs, which had opened three
years earlier.
The production has become part of popular culture, and the costume designs have played a big part in that, often recreated down to tiny details for audience participation nights and fancy dress or Rocky Horror-themed parties. Blane has received both an MBE and the Royal Designer for Industry award for services to
theatre design.
Images posted with permission by editors