"Return To The Forbidden Planet" by Beeston Musical Theatre Group.

Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton.

I have only seen one other production of this wild and wacky musical, based on Shakespeare's "The Tempest", and oft billed as "Shakespeare's Forgotten Rock 'n' Roll Masterpiece", and the film "The Forbidden Planet" from 1956. The memory of that only viewing stays with me today as one crazy fun piece of theatre, so how could I turn down the invitation to see my friends at Beeston Musical Theatre Group stage it.

I took my seat, fastened my seatbelt, returned my tray table to the upright position and prepared to blast off! And a blast is what I had. By the end of Act One I was looking for where they had put the kitchen sink, because there was everything but that particular piece of equipment as far as I could see. There's also a bit of audience participation involved. And at the end I did something that I don't normally do in a theatre!

In this Olivier-award-winning musical, the many works of Shakespeare are aligned with a fabulous rock ‘n’ roll score to create a fun-filled, jiving-in-the-aisles piece of musical theatre. Return to the Forbidden Planet finds a spaceship, helmed by Captain Tempest, making an emergency landing on the uncharted planet D’Illyria. The only residents there are the mad scientist Doctor Prospero, his daughter Miranda, and their robot Ariel. They were banished into hyperspace when Miranda was just a baby, and she has known no other world than this. 

All three come aboard the Spaceship Albatross, and straight away Cookie falls in love with Miranda, but Miranda only has eyes for Captain Tempest.

In the meantime, the Science Officer has escaped from the ship, but re-joins the spaceship and we find out that the Science Officer is actually Prospero's nasty wife, Gloria, and mother to Miranda. She is arrested but, because Cookie is smitten with her daughter, she tells him how to win her heart in return for her freedom! But then the ship is attacked by a many tentacled monster, which means that if they are to survive and get outta this place, they all have to work together.

Featuring rock ‘n’roll hits of the 50s and 60s, “Great Balls of Fire”, “The Monster Mash”, “Good Vibrations”, "Born To Be Wild", "Robot Man", "Who's Sorry Now", "Shake Rattle & Roll", "Go Now" and many others, a B-movie atmosphere, and dialogue in iambic pentameter. Throw in unrequited love, and a scary space monster, and you’ve got one groovy show!

Kevin Chatten plays our intrepid Captain Tempest. I have always held Kev in high estimation of his comedy talents. He has naturally funny bones and this production gave him a chance to release those bones. He unreservedly played up to the audience and milked every comic moment beautifully, wringing every drop of comedy from the arrangements of the songs. Kev, for me, is one of the best comic actors on local stages because he knows how to be funny, and knows how to please an audience, and they in turn loved him.

Rhodri Denton is Dr Prospero. there is a lovely border line with this character where Prospero is the "serious" character, but when that line is bridged and the fun side is released, Rhodri delivered both. It's like when your dad is at a family party, and you know your dad is fairly serious, and then he takes to the dance floor. He is Mr Serious dancer letting his hair down, but others think he is funny. That is Prospero, and it's Rhodri's balanced and restrained performance that makes this character such fun.

Charlotte Howarth as Miranda. Charlotte is the vocal coach for BMTG, so needless to say, the vocals are spot on for everyone. There was one song that she sang sections in, "Shakin All Over", and she really sounded like Brenda Lee with that growl that Lee had, and at that stage she turned the "girl next door" Miranda into something a little more mature, and then Miranda came back as a vixen! A lovely fun character.

Mina Holtom is the Science Officer/Gloria, and talk about fun roles. Mina was all over that stage, and the heels on those boots! It's not that often you get to hear Mina sing as a main character and I had almost forgotten what a really strong voice she owns, and very bluesy, especially when she sang "Go Now". Mina also made all of the costumes for the show, and if you take a look at the photos, you'll see what amazing costumes they are. Mina is the kind of member that any drama group would love to have as there are so many strings to her bow.

Jodie Lakin is the Navigation Officer, and you hear Jodie a lot more than you see her, and that is because there is so much going on, onstage that often you don't know where to look, but she is there, so listen out for her.

Keli Wain plays the robot, Ariel. Keli learned to roller skate for the role - so hopefully when the licence to perform "Starlight Express" is released, Keli will be first choice. Have you seen the photos of this outfit, by the way? Silver outfit, silver face paint, silver hair, but a golden performance, as always from Keli. Another brilliantly fun role for one of my BMTG favourites.

Tim Yearsley is Cookie. Now talk about stealing the show. For a start there is no denying that Tim is a good-looking bloke. Tim also has an incredible voice, one of the best male voices around. Tim is also a very natural actor. Tim can also rock a guitar solo like I've not heard outside the professional rock circuit; it was like being at a rock concert. I've seen Clapton live - and he bored me to death - and they say that Clapton can make a guitar speak. Tim Yearsley can make an axe speak, cry, scream and sing. His solo in "She's Not There" which also incorporated "Smoke On The Water" was A-MAY-ZING. And I love the new guitar! Don't you just hate Tim for being so talented?

George Lamb is Bosun Arras. George I have known for quite a few years now and have had the joy of watching him in several productions over the years. I hope he will not mind me saying this but he has the kind of face which you just know hides a very dry sense of humour. You know that he is about to say something funny, before he even says it, and he delivers comedy with either a very straight face, or with a lovely comic, almost gurn. George has funny bones, he has funny dry bones, and the role of the serious, almost sensible bosun is a wonderful foil for the pipe smoking wise cracking Tempest.

The ensemble consists of Andy Bulmer, John Hand, Matt Charlton, Victoria Appleton, Jane Cottee, Rachel Maddison and Christine Walton. The ensemble in this show work just as hard as the main characters and complement them perfectly. They flesh out the stage as the crew as well as leading dances on and off the stage.

Directed by Martin Holtom, who also plays the part of the narrator on the video screen at the back of the stage. This musical has been timed to perfection. There are no missed cues, either sound-wise or lighting wise. the cast's timing was also spot on, and in a musical like this the timing needs to be there to maximise the comedy.

Musical Director is Chris Toon. The band were all on stage so you could see everyone and everything. The sound was crisp, clear and punchy and made you want to dance. Talking of which, the bras section on a platform over the stage at the back were having an absolute ball when not playing with their brass. They were well choreographed and at times you did not know whether to watch those on the stage or those above the stage, there was so much going on. Sophie Kozlowska (alto sax), Ryan Latham (tenor sax) and Ben Irwin (trumpet) busted out the saxy - and trumpety - moves throughout.

The rest of the band were Dave Shipley (drums), Jeff Widdowson (bass), Gareth Wynne and Helen Tooth (keys) and Owen Jones (guitar) who can also rock a hot guitar solo!

Emily Owen choreographed this out of this world show with some out of this world moves. Not only were there plenty of dance moves from the rock n roll era but also echoes of Michael Jackson and did I see a nod to Beyonce at one stage. Brilliant fun to watch, which means that a tremendous amount of work has been spent with the cast, and band, to make it all look so smooth.

The Lighting, which was just amazing with all the different lighting effects on stage, as well as everything else. The sound was crystal clear; both produced by Sam Leonard. Someone else who has worked incredibly hard to get everything in this area perfect.

Everything about the show was smooth, and a lot of credit also needs to be directed at the stage crew for making sure that everything in that department was well oiled.

The set itself is probably one of the best sets I've seen at The Duchess, and many other theatres as well. I could go on for a while describing everything about the set, but just have a look at the pictures. This was designed by Martin and Mina Holtom and looked like it had just come straight from the set of the Starship Enterprise, but with a shiny makeover and added lighting, an airlock with sliding doors, stage smoke, blinding lights etc. 

Oh, and that thing I mentioned at the start. I, along with everyone else at the finale, got up and danced. Well, maybe "danced" is a bit of a strong description for my shuffling from foot to foot, but I really enjoyed this production. It was like going to the best party ever.

"Return To The Forbidden Planet" will disappear into hyperspace after Saturday night, so get them tickets sooner rather than later!

Photos by Martin Holtom and John Hand.