“The Brain from Planet X” by Musicality
Studio Live, Nottingham University.

A send up of 1950’s B movie science fiction films which is brilliant fun and has some very catchy musical numbers as well.

A Brain and its two alien cohorts, Zubrick and Yoni, arrive on Earth with a plan to take over the San Fernando Valley -- starting with a happy nuclear family. It’s the first step on the road to their quest of taking over the entire planet and destroying the family unit.But will the evil brain and it's cohorts succeed?

To be honest I couldn't wait to get out of there.... to get home and tell you all what - in the words of The Beach Boys - FUN FUN FUN this show is. It was over all too fast, I have not seen this musical before but now I want to see it again!

Choreography is by Katie Bacon and this is her debut Musicality show as choreographer. She has taken some wonderful 1960's inspired dance moves, like the Mashed Potato, as well as a brilliant ensemble tap routine, which really make you want to tap your toes

Musical Director is Rebecca Lillie and along with Assistant Musical Director, Abi Browning and a lovely little trio Annabel Jeffries (Keys), Sam Taylor (drums) and Nick Jones (reeds), they create a jazzy little combo.

The soundtrack has some really catchy songs which will have you struggling to get them out of your head, especially "The Brain Tap" which is a nod towards some of the big Hollywood and Broadway musicals.

Producer is Naomi Batley with her second show as Producer has done a brilliant job along with Assistant Producer, Dan Bowden making his debut on the production team.

Directed by Emily Dervey, she has kept this show tight and retained all of the comedy in this show that I had read about and hoped for.

Matt Talbot plays Fred Bunson and the first thing you notice about Matt is what a great voice he has for this musical score. He sings it just like the soundtrack and didn't try to make any changes, which I really appreciated.

Bethany Ward plays Joyce Bunson, the devoted wife and loving mother, and makes her Musicality debut in this. Like all of the vocalists in this show, she is a perfectly cast and that voice is crystal clear with great pitch.

Bryony Kirby, in her second show with Musicality, plays Donna, the daughter who is keeping secrets from her parents. Where could she be going when she tells them that she is at the library?

Bobby Hughes makes his final Musicality performance playing Zubrick and what a way to go out. He is great fun to watch and he throws everything into his performances, singing and dancing.

Rowena Fry moves from backstage of Musicality to the fore playing Yoni. Why did she wait so long. Never has an evil alien looked and acted so sexy!

Playing the dual role as Narrator and general Mills is Paolo Elias. Paolo has stage presence by the bucket load and he really gets into character in both roles. He ain't got a bad singing voice either.

Rachel Allcock is almost unrecognisable when playing Professor Leder but what a brilliant character role this is for her.

Playing the Newscasters are Siliva Lemos, Megan Smith and Beth Douce,

The Brain is played by Siska Yustina. Another actor who puts everything into this role, and I keep saying this about the cast but another cracking vocalist.

A very funny audience participation section in this as well.

The whole cast worked so well together and you can tell that they have all had fun with this musical, just as much fun as the audience had. It would have been nice to have seen a few more in the audience though to appreciate this talented and hard working bunch.

Oh yes and you'll love the costumes!

“The Brain From Planet X” is at Studio Live on the Nottingham University campus until Sunday 10 June 2018 which also includes a matinee performance at 2.30pm.