The New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
Presents
25th Anniversary Tour
by Playwright Bob Carleton
And so, another jukebox musical comes to Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre, I find myself skeptical of these as often the storyline can be weak, however Return To The Forbidden Planet is based on Shakespeare's, The Tempest, and weak is definitely not a word that springs to mind. The production started with Bubble Theatre Company and its first version took off at The Everyman theatre in Liverpool before its final version in 1989 in London's west end, the piece then went on to land two Olivier awards for best musical. While fusing Shakespeare's language, the 1950s B-side sci-fi movie, Forbidden Planet, and rock 'n' roll classics from the 50s and 60s, Bob Carlton, writer and creator, formed a new cult success that has been revived time after time, keeping audience's toes-tapping for generations. .jpg)
A crew under the command of Captain Tempest are conducting a routine survey flight, until it is caught in a meteor storm, in which their female science officer abandons ship in their only shuttle craft, the ship is forced to land on an unfamiliar planet called D'lllyria, where they meet scientist Doctor Prospero, his daughter Miranda and their robot, Ariel. The doctor and his infant daughter were banished to the planet years ago by his wife, Gloria, who double crossed him for his top secret, mind enhancing formula. Miranda's astronomical beauty captures the hearts of two of the ships members, Cookie, a naive and sweet natured dogsbody who mistakes Miranda's friendship for love, and Captain Tempest, a man's man that try's to fight his urges for fear that Miranda is just a teenager. This forbidden love sends the doctor into a fit of rage and after taking the elusive 'X factor' drug, the ship is attacked by a giant green monster, sprouting tentacles through the air lock, the crew set their phasers to kill and battle on. Will the crew ever escape planet D'lllyria? Is winged Cupid painted blind, or will the course of try love not run smooth for Miranda and Captain Tempest? 
The set designer, Rodney Ford and visual effects designer, Daniel Crew collaborate well together to submerge the audience in this intergalactic world, the stage reveals a stereotypical image of a spaceship, metallic surfaces covered in technical gadgets, lights and buttons. While both live and pre recorded projection takes us elsewhere, acting as a window out of the ship or as a way to view the past. One aspect that made Return To The Forbidden Planet so groundbreaking at the time of its release was the actors also being the band, every cast members was able to act, sing, play an instrument and perform the choreography all at the same time, and this is just an impressive now! The production incorporates an array of songs, to name but a few, 'It's a man's world' James Brown, 'Great balls of fire' Jerry Lee Lewis, 'A teenager in love' Dion and the Belmonts, 'Young Girl' Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, 'Go Now' Bessie Banks, and 'Born to be wild' Steppenwolf.
The multi talented cast astounded audiences with their fabulous voices and solid ability to play various instruments, with the help of their musical director Greg Last, who also played the navigation officer. Sean Needham leads the crew as the Captain, setting the standards high in the from the get go. Mark Newman's rendition of The Zombies 1964, 'She's not there' exceeded all expectations, his lengthy electric guitar solo blew the roof off of the Alex and the use of live projection looked as if it had jumped out of a live rock concert. Joseph Mann is a superb Ariel, the loyal robot that also plays trombone, keyboard, drums, electric and bass guitar, unfortunately not all at the same time but still a very amusing sight. Sarah Scowen portrayed the innocent daughter, Miranda, with grace while showing the progression into her characters independence from her father. The entire ensemble supported one another well and every character made their mark, from all round good guy, Steve Simmonds as Bosun Arras, mysterious, strong willed science officer, Christine Holam as Gloria and mad scientist, Jonathan Markwood as Dr Prospero, who's intention are good. Even Brian May makes a guest appearance, through pre recorded projection, as the chorus to clarify the storyline, as Shakespeare can be difficult for many to follow, especially with the distraction of flashing light, rock 'n' roll and aliens!
The audience were on their feet, applauding by the end, except for one man a few rows ahead that just bellowed "More!!" at the top of his voice until the cast appeared for an encore. I thoroughly enjoyed this piece and would highly recommend it to anyone in search of a fun night out in a galaxy far, far away.
Review by Ellie Scandrett
Productions Notes:
25 years after Captain Tempest and his crew first journeyed into hyperspace, and 14 years after the last UK tour, Olivier Award-winning rock spectacular Return to the Forbidden Planet is back and exploding onto stage in a major new 25th Anniversary production, playing at Birmingham's New Alexandra Theatre from Monday 26 to Friday 31 January 2015.
Inspired by Shakespeare’s The Tempest and packed with rock n’ roll classics including Great Balls of Fire, This is a Man’s World, Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, Who’s Sorry Now, Teenager in Love, Young Girl, Heard It Through the Grapevine, Johnny B. Goode and Born To Be Wild, Return to the Forbidden Planet is a musical of meteoric proportions that will be remembered for light years to come. With stunning special effects, a brilliant cast of actor-musicians, a mad scientist, a huge green-tentacled monster and a rock ’n’ roller-skating robot, your in-flight entertainment is guaranteed! So fasten your seatbelts, set your ray guns to stun and prepare for blast off!
“Deliriously addictive”
DAILY TELEGRAPH
“Irresistible”
THE TIMES
Founding member of Queen and a world-renowned guitarist Brian May will appear via video projection as the Newscaster. Over four decades, Queen amassed a staggering list of awards and to this day remain the most successful albums act in UK chart history. Brian penned 22 Queen top 20 hit singles including We Will Rock You, namesake to the Queen/Ben Elton hit musical which enjoyed an unprecedented 12 year run at London’s Dominion Theatre. More recently, Brian has enjoyed writing and touring with Kerry Ellis, as well as returning to Queen in 2012 with guest vocalist Adam Lambert. A highly anticipated 2014 North American tour followed with further dates announced to encompass 21 European cities in 2015.
The cast features Steve Simmonds as Bosun, Sean Needham as Captain Tempest, Christine Holman as Science Officer, Greg Last, as Navigation Officer, Mark Newnham as Cookie, Jonathan Markwood as Prospero, Frido Ruth as Ariel, Sarah Scowen as Miranda, Georgina Field as Anne Droid, Callum Hughes as Phil McCavity, Joseph Mann as Ewan Watami and Hannah Howcroft as Young Miranda.
Return to the Forbidden Planet opened at the West End’s Cambridge Theatre in September 1989, where it ran for over 1500 performances and won the 1990 Olivier Award for Best Musical (sorry Miss Saigon, spaceships trump helicopters!).
The original design team return to recreate their award-winning original production, helmed by creator Bob Carton, who directed the West End production and now returns to direct this highly anticipated 25th Anniversary tour, his final production as artistic director of the Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch.
Bob Carlton said: “It was an incredible time when Return to the Forbidden Planet landed in West End, in what was a vintage year alongside shows such as Miss Saigon and Buddy. And it’s thanks to the audiences, who took it to their hearts and rocked out every night, that it became such a cult success. I can’t wait to bring it back 25 years later, to introduce it to a whole new generation and to reunite with original fans of the show. I’m thrilled to be able to return to the Forbidden Planet, along with the original design team, and get reacquainted with Captain Tempest and his crew once more!
Return to the Forbidden Planet is directed by Bob Carlton and choreographed by Frederick ‘Frido’ Ruth, with musical direction by Greg Last. It is designed by Rodney Ford with lighting design by Mark Dymock and sound design by Ben Harrison.
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PERFORMANCE DETAILS
Return To The Forbidden Planet
New Alexandra Theatre
Station Street
Birmingham
From Monday 26 to Friday 31 January 2015
For tickets call the Box Office on 0844 871 3011 or book online at www.atgtickets.com/Birmingham (fees apply) For Group bookings of 10 plus call 0844 871 3031.
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