There are many reasons to be quivering with antici—pation these days.
In the midst of political uncertainty, daylight savings time ending, and the impending holiday stress, Old Confidence Lodge’s production of The Rocky Horror Show over the Halloween weekend was a balm for the soul. For many in Riverport, the performance wasn’t just a night out—it was a celebration of personal and community identity, a chance to experience something radically different in this small, rural town.
Over the course of three performances, 350 people made their way to Riverport, where they witnessed a beloved cult classic—a young, recently engaged couple getting swept into a night of outrageous, boundary-pushing revelry led by a transsexual alien in fishnets. The production was not just an artistic achievement; it was an important statement of visibility and inclusion in a place that, for many years, has been defined by a much more conservative outlook.
This is especially significant when you consider a 2023 report indicating that nearly half of Canadians (47%) believe individuals in the 2SLGBTQI+ community still feel unwelcome in social, faith-based, or cultural settings. In rural areas like Riverport, where social conservatism, limited access to LGBTQ+ resources, and a smaller community can often result in a lack of visibility, this show became a powerful statement of inclusion and progress.
Shari Porter, one of the owners of the Old Confidence Lodge and the music director for the show, was overwhelmed with the reception of their opening night show.
“I’m going to cry. When we moved here, I said to Chris ‘We’re not ever doing community theatre, I hate community theatre.’ I’m not interested in doing something that’s not high quality,” said Porter. “As soon as we went to Petite Queer Pride karaoke, then we were like ‘Oh!’, we don’t have to do amateur. We can do semi-professional right from the get go.”
The community responded enthusiastically. Social media posts flooded in, celebrating the production’s impact.
“Wow what an incredible gift to the community this show was. Felt so proud to live in this little queer village of radical talent,” wrote Pamela Hart, local singer and vocal teacher, on her Instagram story.
For some, like Verónica Gutiérrez, the significance was even more profound. “Seeing Rocky Horror here is extra special because of how conservative this area has been historically. Now, with so many young people moving back, the South Shore is becoming more inclusive for everyone.”
While Rocky Horror may seem like a lighthearted and familiar production staged in communities large and small since the 1970s, its recent debut in Riverport marks a meaningful milestone in Lunenburg County’s growing visibility, unity, and commitment to inclusivity.
