Rayner Bourton originated the role of Rocky Horror on stage in London in 1973. Apparently he's recently written a book about the experience. More info about it here:
http://www.timewarp.org.uk/cellar/raynerbourtonbook.htmhttp://www.raynerbourton.com/new%20book.htmlQuote:
A Message from Rayner:
“Something for everyone – thrills, chills and spills.â€
Hi everyone, I guess you may know that I created the role of ‘Rocky’ in the original and first ever production of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs back in June 1973, transferring with it to the Chelsea Classic, recording the Original Cast album in between, before opening with the show on two other continents.
In May 2006 I was invited to participate in the Tribute Show in the main house of The Royal Court to celebrate ‘Rocky’ being voted the most popular show in the fifty-year history of the English Stage Company.
Having appeared in that tribute performance and having attended a few conventions, where there are always many questions on what it was like to be there at the beginning, I thought I would put finger to keyboard and write down my recollections of what it was like to audition for, be cast as, rehearse, perform and enjoy being in the best loved Rock ‘n’ Roll musical of all time.
The out come is my book: Rocky Horror: As I remember it. I think the title tells it all, it is literally as I remember it. It’s not an autobiography; it’s an account of how the original show came to be, from the first day of rehearsal to opening night at The Theatre Upstairs and then at the Chelsea Classic, told from my own personal perspective.
I had a lot of fun recalling and writing down everything that happened, however, if it’s scandal you’re looking for, you won’t find it here, you see back then there wasn’t any, we were just having fun and that’s what the book is all about, the fun we had. We really were just a bunch of unknown actors embarking a fun show for three weeks only. Little did we know we were really embarking on something that would be with us for a lifetime.
I do hope you enjoy reading about my experiences and the interaction with the other members of the cast and all those around us. Whether you like it or not, I can only tell it as it was; “As I remember it.â€
Lots of Love
It looks like the book is ordered through his web site only, and is £12.99 plus shipping. Overseas shipping to the U.S. is £7.00, making it a total of £19.99 if you want to order a copy. Here are a couple photos of Rayner on stage in London (pictured with Patricia Quinn, Little Nell, and an almost hidden Richard O'Brien in the second photo):
A little known fact is that he also had a cameo in
Shock Treatment. He's the G.I. in the middle, from the studio audience:
And actually the row of ladies in front of him includes two Transylvanians from RHPS. A number of people involved with Rocky ended up with audience cameos in
Shock Treatment.