THE FRANCIS BACON EXPERIMENT
I would like, if I may...
to take you on a strange journey
Our story
2007 - 2020
The group was named after John Kehoe’s cat, Francis Bacon, who was himself an experiment simply by John having him.
FBE started its life as an improv troop founded by John Kehoe in 2007. The group performed at various locations, notably at the Toronto Improv Festival in 2009.
Upon seeing that the Riviera Theatre was screening Rocky Horror in October of 2007, John asked the staff who was doing their Floorshow. When the staff was confused by this request, not knowing what he was talking about, John seized the opportunity. That was the first year FBE performed our shadowcast.
Between 2007 and 2018, FBE also produced 420 The Musical, written in part by Kehoe a number of times. Most notably, the musical was produced in April of 2017 at The Screening Room Cinema Arts Cafe.
2020 - and beyond!
In October of 2020 we produced two socially distant shows at the Transit Drive-In and Dark Alley Drive-In. After successfully keeping Rocky alive during the COVID-19 pandemic, leadership was handed to the next generation and the modern era of FBE began.
Our logo, reminiscent of both the City of Buffalo’s flag and RKO Radio pictures logo, was designed by local artist Daniel Morris and has stood as our banner since January of 2021.
While still navigating new social norms, FBE found its footing on TikTok and was able to reach new audiences and the wider Rocky Horror community. This led to a handful of virtual shows and events through 2021. We will forever be grateful for our early supporters online and the connections we made that helped springboard our cast.
In December of 2021, we connected with Mr. Bob and The Screening Room and Cinema Arts Cafe. We performed our first shadowcast at the venue on April 1st, 2022. That show was none other than Shock Treatment. Since then we have produced almost 40 events at this venue alone and partnered with other groups such as Silk Screams and Screening Room Trivia. Ranging from shadowcast performances, sing-along screenings, and drag and burlesque events we’ve expanded what we can offer our audiences and we are proud to call this venue our year round home!
We returned to our Halloween home venue, The West Herr Riviera Theatre in October of 2022 to much acclaim and have relished in the joy of performing in front of a sold-out house seating one thousand people every year.
Between our regularly scheduled local shows, our cast has had the pleasure of traveling across the Northeast to guest perform and build community with other casts such as ours. These included standalone guest performances and national conventions! FBE has also hosted many guest performers right here in WNY!
We’ve also had the opportunity to produce video content in the form of YouTube videos and collaborations with local musicians!
The opportunities are endless for our members as we continue to grow as artists and as a collective!
We are looking forward to celebrating our 20th Anniversary in 2027!
The Legacy of Sal Piro (1950 - 2023)
and ShadowCasting
Sal Piro was the president of the Rocky Horror Fan Club starting in 1977. He was part of the audience at the Waverly Theatre in NYC and was the pioneer for the beloved audience traditions we continue to use at Rocky Horror Screenings today, including the "Give me an R!" chant to start the movie.
We had the pleasure of meeting Lillias Piro, Sal's sister who has been carrying on his legacy, at the Rocky Horror Convention in 2025. Shadowcasts and midnight screenings would not be the same today without Sal's love and dedication for the film.
What's in my prop bag?
Toast
Throw toast when you hear Frank say "A toast!"
Toilet Paper
Throw toilet paper when you hear "Great Scot!"
Rice
Throw rice when Betty and Ralph come out of the church for the wedding
Noise makers
Use your noise makers with the Transylvanians during the lab scene
Newspaper
Hold a newspaper over your head when Janet starts walking in the rain
Flashlight/Glow Sticks
Hold up your phone flashlight when you here Brad and Janet sing "there's a light" during "Over at the Frankenstein Place"
Playing Cards
Throw playing cards when you hear Frank sing "cards for sorrow, cards for pain" during "I'm Going Home"