Dr Frank-N-Furter and Columbia – aka Cambridge’s Antony and Lynne
Saturday’s Rocky Horror Show competition winners showed the diversity associated with the cult classic
Cambridge’s Natasha Kirby with her prize-winning ‘Anticipation’ cake in the Rocky Horror cake competition.
Cambridge’s Antony and Lynne – aka Dr Frank-N-Furter and Columbia – won the show’s best-dressed competition. They are long-time fans who know every word.
The cake competition winner Natasha Kirby is what’s called a Rocky Horror ‘virgin’. She had never seen the show before Saturday, yet made her cake and iced it that very morning, using elements she had skilfully sleuthed online the day before.
Natasha Kirby’s inspirational Rocky Horror cake, entitled ‘Anticipation’.
The special screening cum competition at Tivoli Cinema was part of the 2026 Cambridge Autumn Festival. Organiser Karen Johnson said support for it had been incredible.
“There were plenty of Rocky Horror ‘virgins’, including some delightful seniors who came early to watch the movie Tenor – My Name is Pati, but stayed for Rocky Horror and loved it.”
Tivoli Cinema owner Karen Focas said the evening was so successful she would like to hold similar events in the future.
“It was huge fun, and great to see the community’s enthusiasm. We had about 120 people in, and I reckon over three-quarters of them dressed up.”
The best-dressed duo went to the show for a blast and got much more besides. Their win took them by surprise and netted them a 10-ticket movie pass.
“We just enjoy having fun together,” Antony told The News on Monday, “and I’ve always loved Rocky Horror. We were planning our costumes for the stage show in Auckland when we heard it was going to be on at Tivoli.”
The pair researched then crafted their costumes, tweaking them just a touch between the Auckland and Cambridge shows.
Participants in Rocky Horror at Tivoli Cinema
“We didn’t really go on Saturday for the competition, but when we saw the Tivoli staff all dressed up, we realised what an enormous effort they made. It was a very cool evening.”
Cambridge cake-maker Natasha Kirby, whose lip-smacking concoction entitled ‘Anticipation’ won her the top prize, only heard about the competition last Thursday. She’s the owner of a home-based cake making business niftily called Sugar and Slice.
“I was keen to enter, but my partner said I shouldn’t without seeing the film. So we bought tickets, and I made the cake that morning. It took me about three to four hours.”
The Autumn Festival committee at Te Awa Lifecare Village for the launch, from left Karen Johnson, chair John Drummond, Jocelyn Cooney, Barbara Campbell, Gary Verberne, Julie Epps, Alana Mackay. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Overall, the 18th Cambridge Autumn Festival appears to have been a triumph. Festival committee chair John Drummond described it ‘an outstanding success’.
“We’ve had 10 wonderful days, with great attendance and many of our events selling out. The fabulous crowds at the Main Street Carnival again proved how popular this event is with the public. We’re grateful for the fantastic support of all our sponsors, and for the wonderful feedback from the community.”
Some of that feedback revealed that over 800 people visited the art exhibition in the Cambridge Town Hall, Bricktopia and the selection of concerts proved popular, and bad weather did little to put off punters at the comedy night.
Passion for Art Trail founder and organiser Carole Hughes said: “We are fortunate to have such talented and enthusiastic artists in Cambridge. We were visited by people who appreciate those abilities and we look forward to next year!”
Dr Frank-N-Furter and Columbia – aka Cambridge’s Antony and Lynne – were declared best dressed at Saturday’s Rocky Horror Show.
