The iconic Dr Frank-N-Furter outfit worn by Tim Curry in The Rocky Horror Picture Show has a surprising Glasgow connection, thanks to a £3 bargain from the city's Barras Market.
Curry, who died at his home in Los Angeles on August 25 aged 80, became a household name after taking on the role in the 1975 musical horror-comedy. He was remembered for his decades-long career across film, television and theatre.
The Barras Market link
The Glasgow connection dates back to Curry's time performing at the city's Citizens Theatre in 1971, where he appeared in a production of Jean Genet's The Maids. It was there that he first worked with costume designer Sue Blane, who later reunited with Curry for The Rocky Horror Show and helped create the unforgettable look for Frank-N-Furter.
Speaking about how the character's iconic appearance came together, Curry said: "I didn't really create it myself. I was grimly unaware when I read the role and started to rehearse it that the national costume of Transylvania was a corset and whatever else you put with it."
"For Rocky Horror, she [Sue Blane] went to a market in Glasgow called the Barras, where all kinds of crap was sold, and she found a Victorian corset for three pounds. I wore it back to front."
A career remembered
The Barras, which has been a fixture in Glasgow since opening in 1921, played an unlikely part in creating one of cinema's most recognisable characters. While the story of Rocky Horror takes place a world away from Glasgow, with newly engaged couple Brad and Janet stumbling upon the castle of Dr Frank-N-Furter, one of the character's most memorable costume pieces came directly from the city's famous market.
Curry went on to become internationally known for his performances across film, television and theatre, with roles including Home Alone 2, IT, Annie and Muppet Treasure Island. He was born in Warrington and began his career in theatre after studying at Birmingham University, with his breakthrough coming at the age of 22 when he landed a role in a West End production of Hair.
Tributes from co-star
He shot to international fame in 1973 when he first played Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show, before reprising the role for the 1975 film adaptation. Tributes have poured in following the news of Curry's death, with his Rocky Horror co-star Susan Sarandon leading the tributes.
Sarandon, who played Janet Weiss in the film, wrote: "What a funny, sexy, original he was. But what I loved about him most was his heart. Even wheelchair bound he continued to be so sweet and generous with his fans. Thank you Tim for meaning so much to so many people."
