Return to the Forbidden Planet

Shakespeare’s “forgotten Rock ‘n’ Roll masterpiece” was an excellent choice for the Society. They really did excel in all departments. For the first time the small ‘band’ of six musicians were on the stage. Some of the ‘Atlantic Soul Messengers’ made up the band. The music was up to date and well known songs including ‘Great Balls of Fire’, ‘The Young Ones’, ‘All Shook Up’ and ‘Good Vibrations’. The show also contained some well-known quotations such as “wherefore art thou Prospero”. Special mention should be made of Beki Harrison for designing the set, and her many helpers who made it. It was really just like the inside of a space ship.

There were many excellent performances including John Holliday (Captain Tempest) and Heidi Richardson, who played the ‘Science Officer’ - subsequently revealed to be ‘Gloria’, the wife of Dr Prospero, who was really excellently played by Dan Crockett. ‘Aerial’ the robot was again excellently played by Karen Brunyee. Billy Gaines continues to excel as ‘Cookie’ – Billy is a great asset to the society with many more leading roles to come it is to be hoped. Freya Mawhinney, another young star, played ‘Miranda’, Prospero’s daughter. The ‘Bosun’ was very confidently portrayed by Alison Cochlan. Newcomer Joanne Wilkington confidently navigated the 'control panel' whilst Brian Martin, the ‘newsreader’, kept everyone up to date with the story. Other parts were played by Sally Stabler, Jean Robinson, Jemma Hogg and Amy Swales. Well done to ROS.

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