Australia was the third country in the world (after the UK and the USA) to produce The Rocky Horror Show play which was adapted into the movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show in 1975. The model in this photograph is actor Max Phipps who played the lead role of Dr Frank N. Furter for the play’s 18 month run in Melbourne from 1975 to 1977. Phipps is also known for playing The Toadie in the Mad Max 2 film released in 1981.
The dense black backdrop of this image, used by Bruno Benini in many of his photographic portraits, is a perfect contrast to the bright spotlight framing of the actor. This combination, along with the upward angle of the camera, effectively displays the power and drama of the moment, appropriate for a publicity shot for the opening of the play in Melbourne in October 1975. The photograph is part of the Bruno Benini photography archive acquired with funding assistance from the Australian Government through the National Cultural Heritage Account in early 2009.
Photography by Bruno Benini © Estate of Bruno Benini
Post by Clare Plascow, Curatorial volunteer
