Tim Curry's unforgettable portrayal of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the 1975 cult classic "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" was cemented by a striking and unconventional costume, the origins of which have become the subject of renewed interest.
Curry, who died Tuesday at the age of 80, revealed in a 2005 interview with NPR’s “Fresh Air” that the character's iconic corset was not a custom creation but was instead purchased for a mere three pounds from a market stall in Glasgow. The costume designer, Sue Blane, a collaborator Curry had met during a production of Jean Genet's "The Maids" at Glasgow's Citizens Theatre, was responsible for sourcing the garment.
Curry explained that he and Blane wore the corset backward during "The Maids," a styling choice they replicated for "Rocky Horror." This meant the lacing appeared at the front rather than the back.
Initially, Curry had anticipated a more conventional wardrobe for the role, expecting to wear a white lab coat. However, he later reflected that given Dr. Frank-N-Furter's origins, the flamboyant costume was fitting. "I’ve always said this to anybody who’s ever asked me about playing Frank-N-Furter … to just never think about it as drag, 'cause it's not. It's just what people wear in Transylvania," he quipped.
In addition to the corset, Curry's towering platform heels were also custom-made for the film. He recounted trying on several pairs of commercially available heels that proved too short, leading to the creation of specialized footwear for the production.
The physical demands of the costume were not lost on subsequent performers. Luke Evans, who played Dr. Frank-N-Furter in a Broadway revival of "The Rocky Horror Show" earlier this year, described the constricting nature of the corset, especially while performing powerful musical numbers. Evans noted that he required oxygen tanks backstage to cope with the exertion.
"The corset constricts you," Evans told Seth Meyers on "Late Night," "And of course, I’m singing these big rock songs and having to sing big, big notes." He described the necessity of having assistance, including oxygen tanks, to manage the performance.