A cult classic will make a return to the Turnage Theatre big screen.

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” celebrates its 41st anniversary this year, and Arts of the Pamlico will host a repeat performance of the film on Aug. 26. Last year’s showing was an enormous success, according to Stuart Lannon, the Turnage’s technical director.

“After last year’s event, it was talked about for months afterwards,” Lannon said. “I still have people coming to me and talking about it, saying it was a blast, and a night they will never forget.”

The film has the longest theatrical film release in cinema history, though it’s not because of its quality. It’s because of audience participation.

“It was put out in the ’70s as a film, and it’s so over-the-top and just absolutely ridiculous. I think it started out as a joke that slowly has become the biggest inside joke in the world,” Lannon said. “The movie itself, when it comes down to it, is just a terrible film. What makes it fun is the audience participation. … It took the movie experience to a whole new level.”

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” stars Tim Curry, Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon. When it was first released, it was a box-office bomb, with the exception of midnight screenings, which became wildly popular. Many audience members dress in full costume and everyone is encouraged to dance, yell lines at the onscreen actors, as well as use props, such as throwing rice during the wedding scene and waving glow sticks during a song. Market Street Pub has partnered with Arts of the Pamlico to supply 200 prop bags, while neighboring restaurant Grub Brothers Eatery will supply a food option — the “FrankenFritter,” a hot dog in a corn fritter, Lannon said.

Lannon said the event will start early, based on what happened last year: so many people wanted to take photos of outrageously attired fellow audience members, it put the film’s actual start time behind schedule. On Aug. 26, doors will open at 6:30 p.m.; a pre-show event and costume contest will be held from 8-9 p.m.; and the movie will start at 9 p.m.

Tickets for the event are $15 and each ticketholder receives a prop bag. To purchase tickets, call 252-946-2504.