Return to the Forbidden Planet

This is the second time that Kaleidoscope, who have never been afraid to tackle something different,  have presented rock`n`roll meets Shakespeare in Return to the Forbidden Planet.  Based on the Tempest, and full of 1950/60`s pop hits, the production under the direction of Debbie Weetman was well rounded and balanced.  The choreography was well rehearsed and responsible for several highlights during the production.

Rob Simpson played the pipe smoking hero, Captain Tempest with great style, his assured performance evident in numbers such as Young Girl and Pretty Woman.    Toby Bradford as Prospero was the perfect nutty professor, a top drawer act.  Playing his daughter Miranda, Emily Mughal performed well with particularly strong vocals.  They had both been ejected into space many years before by the evil Gloria. the professor`s wife, played with relish by Josephine Walker.

As the roller skating Robot Arial,  Sam Billington gave an excellent performance, together with Aran Cadney as Bosun, and Kiah Smith the Navigation Officer.    There was also a cameo by Dominic Heale as the newsreader on the spaceship`s screen.   But the standout portrayal of the show came from Kyle Lamley as the lovelorn Cookie.  He played the role with great sympathy and gave a brilliant rendition of She`s Not There, as well as the lead guitar in the accomplished musical group that accompanied the polished vocals throughout.  The musicians were spot-on, never over powering, and added greatly to the atmosphere.

 With a great spaceship set, imaginative costumes, good lighting and flawless sound, this was a good production for the players.

This is Debbie`s last time as Producer/Director, I hope she enjoys her retirement, which I am sure will be furnished with many happy memories.

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