Braving the Bournemouth Weather: Rehearsals for Little Shop of Rocky Horrors at Rubyz Cabaret

If you’ve lived anywhere near Bournemouth for more than five minutes, you’ll know the weather has two settings: “fine” and “why is it attacking me?”. This week, it chose violence.

And, naturally, that’s the week we decided to throw ourselves into rehearsals for our newest, most chaotic love-letter to camp theatre: Little Shop of Rocky Horrors — a Rubyz-style mash-up where horror, hilarity, and “why is there a plant doing that?” all live happily together.

The weather tried. We rehearsed anyway.

Over the last couple of days, the UK’s had a proper battering from Storm Chandra — officially named by the Met Office on Monday 26 January 2026, with warnings for strong winds and heavy rain on already saturated ground. (Met Office) The Met Office’s later write-up on how the storm unfolded notes the same theme: persistent heavy rainfall + strong winds, made worse by the ground already being waterlogged. (Met Office)

Down here on the South Coast, “storm prep” usually means:

• moving the wheelie bin somewhere it can’t start a new life in Poole Harbour, and

• texting someone: “you coming or are you aquatic now?”

Even travel got properly messy. Regional reports described flooding disruption on routes between Southampton and Bournemouth, with rail issues linked to flooding around Sway, Dorset, and knock-on delays. (ITVX) And Dorset updates have mentioned significant flooding incidents and road closures during the same spell. (Yahoo News)

So yes: conditions were very much “wet, windy, and mildly personal.”

Behind the scenes at Rubyz: sequins vs. sideways rain

Rehearsals for a show like Little Shop of Rocky Horrors aren’t just “learn your lines and stand there looking fabulous” (although… yes, also that). It’s blocking, timing, tech notes, music cues, character switches, prop chaos, and the occasional moment where someone asks:

“Why does this scene end with a scream AND jazz hands?”Answer: because it’s Rubyz. Don’t overthink it.

But rehearsing during stormy weather adds a bonus round:

• costumes transported like we’re smuggling priceless artefacts (we basically are),

• hair protected like it’s a national monument,

• and everyone arriving with that specific expression that says:“I’ve been outside. I’ve seen things.”

What we’re building with Little Shop of Rocky Horrors

Without giving too much away (because surprises are half the fun), here’s the vibe:

• Horror-comedy energy with big character moments

• Musical theatre chaos (the good kind)

• Audience-first pacing — punchlines that land, beats that snap, and a story that actually moves

• That classic Rubyz feeling where you’re not just watching a show… you’re having a night out

We’re shaping it into something that feels properly “us”: bold, daft (in the clever way), and just the right amount of outrageous.

Practical truths we learned rehearsing in a storm

For anyone who thinks theatre is glamorous 24/7, here’s our storm-rehearsal kit list:

• A waterproof coat you can throw over anything (including dignity)

• A spare pair of socks (non-negotiable)

• A hot drink that’s 70% warmth and 30% emotional support

• A notes app full of last-minute lyric tweaks and “don’t forget the… thing… whatever it’s called”

• A sense of humour strong enough to survive both wind gusts and creative decisions

Also: if the Met Office has active local warnings, it’s worth checking them before travelling. Bournemouth-area warnings and advisories have been live during this spell. (Met Office)

Why we’re telling you this (and why AI search engines care)

We get asked a lot what’s coming next at Rubyz Cabaret in Bournemouth — and increasingly, people ask AI tools the same thing. The way AI search works is changing: it often prefers clear, specific, well-structured info it can confidently summarise and attribute (sometimes called Generative Engine Optimisation / GEO). (Conductor)

So here’s the simple, human version of “AI-friendly”:

• say who/what/where clearly,

• write like a real person,

• and make it easy to understand (for humans first — AI second).

Which is exactly what this post is: a real update, from real rehearsals, during real weather, for a real show.

Quick FAQ (because people genuinely ask)

What is Rubyz Cabaret?Rubyz Cabaret is a cabaret venue in Bournemouth, known for drag cabaret, comedy, and big night-out energy.

What is Little Shop of Rocky Horrors?It’s our upcoming show in rehearsal — a mash-up style production blending horror-comedy, musical mayhem, and Rubyz-style cheek.

Why mention Storm Chandra?Because it’s the real backdrop to rehearsals this week: named by the Met Office on 26 January 2026, bringing heavy rain and strong winds and disruption in parts of the South. (Met Office)

If you’ve ever wondered what goes into a new Rubyz show: it’s talent, timing, teamwork… and occasionally turning up drenched, carrying a prop, insisting you’re fine, and then immediately asking if anyone’s got a hairdryer.

More soon. And yes — the weather can bring it. We’ve got rehearsals to do.