25th Anniversary production of the Olivier Award Winning Musical Return to the Forbidden Planet
Return to the Forbidden Planet is a masterful mash up of Shakespeare’s The Tempest and Forbidden Planet, the 1956 science fiction film based on The Tempest. The inspired writer, Bob Carlton created Shakespeare’s forgotten rock musical in the early 80’s and it says “people seem to have liked it each time it’s staged’. The audience at Hornchurch on Monday night were on their feet more than once!
We were welcomed aboard the spaceship by Captain Tempest (Sean Needham) who, with spot-on comic timing took us on a musical theatre journey like no other. The show is a riot of colour, humour, interwoven with some of Shakespeare’s greatest lines and amazing rock & roll.
The music fits seamlessly into the story. An asteroid attack becomes “Great Balls of Fire,” Miranda the beautiful daughter of Prospero is “A Teenager in Love”,” Doctor Prospero’s wife who banished him many years ago is “G-L-O-R-I-A,” and when Cookie (Mark Newman), the love-lorn chef is spurned, he performs a magnificent guitar solo full of angst in the Zombies classic “She’s Not There”
The cast all play several instruments, making up the band as they move around the ingenious set.
Frido Ruth who has played the robot Ariel in countless productions over the 25 year history was badly injured during the show on Friday night. Somehow, the talented actor-musician Joseph Mann stepped up and learnt the show in 4 hours! He literally saved the day, and was incredible.
The cast were ALL outstanding, but a special mention must go to Miranda (Sarah Scowen) who’s chemistry with her Captain was fabulous to witness, and what an incredible singing voice she has.
The show is at Hornchurch until the 15th November, but is already sold out. However, catch the tour in February at the DARTFORD ORCHARD THEATRE – or wherever you can. More dates from www.forbiddenplanetreturns.com/
Return to the Forbidden Planet is, without a doubt, one of the most memorable trips you will ever take.
There were several of the original cast members in the audience, and I caught up with actress/musician Sarah Whittuck in the interval. You can listen to the interview here:
