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The Rocky Horror Show is suitable for ages 12 and above – Be warned, this show has rude parts! This is the advice on the website for The Rocky Horror Show on stage. But what did we think? Did we think it was suitable for ages 12 and above?

For my review of The Rocky Horror Show without worrying about the age of the kids you can read it here:

Review: The Rocky Horror Show

Is The Rocky Horror Show suitable for ages 12 and above?

The short answer to the question ‘ Is The Rocky Horror Show suitable for ages 12 and above‘ is no I don’t think so. When I was initially invited to go and watch The Rocky Horror Show I asked a couple of friends if they wanted to join me, but due to diary clashes they couldn’t. I had in my mind decided that it wouldn’t be one for my eldest daughter who is very nearly 12, but I double checked the website and was surprised to find that it said – The Rocky Horror Show is suitable for ages 12 and above. With that in mind I disregarded my gut reaction and my recollection of watching it circa 25 years ago and we set out to watch it.

So what was it that made me think The Rocky Horror Show wasn’t suitable for 12 year olds?

Are the costumes inappropriate in The Rocky Horror Show?

It wasn’t the costumes that made it unsuitable. Yes they were funky, revealing and possibly inappropriate but aren’t most costumes in most music videos these days.

Is there much swearing in The Rocky Horror Show?

Not really. There is some mild cursing in The Rocky Horror Show and quite a bit of innuendo but nothing she hadn’t heard before. So it wasn’t that.

Is there sex in the The Rocky Horror Show?

No. There is the suggestion of sex though, quite a lot. The older they get the more likely they are to pick up on the innuendo and suggestive remarks. The younger (and closer to 12 they are) the less likely they are to enjoy this. Lily’s comment was that she just didn’t like the vibe and felt it was inappropriate.

Audience Participation at The Rocky Horror Show

It was the Audience Participation at The Rocky Horror Show though that really made the show totally unsuitable for 12 year olds. Now don’t get me wrong, this is possibly THE BEST THING about The Rocky Horror Show. I love the audience participation BUT it’s a long time since I’ve been so see it and I think the tone of the replies has perhaps developed quite a lot in the last 25 years.

Google Audience Participation at The Rocky Horror Show and have a read of the scripts so you can see the tone being suggested – but a short sample below, audience participation in brackets:

It seemed a fairly ordinary night [Ordinary?] When Brad Majors [Asshole] and his fiance Janet Weiss [Slut]

To the late night [“What kind of feature?”], double feature,
[“What kind of show?”] picture show,
[“Where’s the best place to fuck?”]
In the back row,
[front row: “Fuck the back row!” while standing]
[back row: “Yay Back Row!” (general cheers)]

I think you’ll see why it wasn’t suitable for a 12 year old, and I think perhaps due to the audience participation (which is actively encouraged) you shouldn’t take your 12 year old to see it. I’d honestly say 16+ and then you’ll love it even more.

What did I love about The Rocky Horror Show with my 12 year old?

What I loved about The Rocky Horror Show with my 12 year old was watching her face when a whole audience of quote ‘old people did the time warp and totally embarrassed themselves’ – that totally made my night!

Next time I go to see The Rocky Horror Show it’ll definitely be with someone over 16, and probably not my daughter!

Why not PIN this post – The Rocky Horror Show is NOT suitable for ages 12 and above

You can get tickets here .