Return To The Forbidden Planet

Inspired by the cult sci-fi cinema classic ‘Forbidden Planet’ and loosely (very loosely) based on Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’, the story has been re-worked into ships becoming spaceships and Ariel is a robot. Little is lost from Shakespeare’s original tale, condensing the story around fun songs from the classics of the 50’s/60s/70s era. Am I showing my age when I say I knew most of the songs! You do recognise some of the classic Shakespearean lines, although slightly altered, such as “two beeps or not two beeps? That is the question”, “thou dost love this chick?” and “shall I compare thee to a Barbie Doll?”

 From the word go the audience - sorry, passengers, enter into the atmosphere of the USS Albatross through the ‘air lock’ being greeted by the ‘cabin crew’. Part of the school hall had been amazingly transformed into the interior of the rocket ship, with a sliding door and a bar, for when the ship was not ‘in flight’. All the crew were dressed in their matching uniforms and were in character from the time you entered, adding to the audience participation. Before we could ‘take off’ we had to be taken through the reverse polarity procedure. Video graphics, links and lighting play an integral part, both used to good effect.

We are introduced to the officers Captain Tempest (Geof Hillier) Bosun (Peter Nicholson) Navigation Office (Dale Wills) Science Officer (Claire Dingley) and Cookie (Matthew Friett). Lift off is powered by the driving drumbeat of “Wipe Out” but then a mysterious power brings the space ship to an uncharted planet. Here we meet the stranded (and where would we be without a mad scientist), Dr. Prospero (Jason Down) who entered the ship on a hover-board (of course!). He had been sent there by his wife Gloria,who just happens to be the Ship’s science officer. Their daughter Miranda (Katie Aitchison) had, by accident, also ended up being stranded with her father, falls in love with the Captain but, in turn, is loved by Cookie. We also have the Dr’s assistant, a roller skating robot, Ariel (Mark Johnson). Once Dr. Prospero has fallen into the tentacles of the monster, the ship, with the help of the passengers of course, manages to reverse polarity and escape from the planet.

There was not a weak link in this cast, together with the cabin crew who were splendid as the backing group and dancers. The most impressive thing about this show was the cast’s ability not only to act and sing but at the same time, accompany themselves and each other on a variety of instruments. Their obvious enjoyment, talent and enthusiasm shone through.

This is a difficult, complex show to produce but to have a young director as enthusiastic as Ben Newton they couldn’t fail to succeed. An evening of brilliant music and great fun. I loved it!

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