Return to the Forbidden Planet
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Blasting Off with "Return to the Forbidden Planet" on the West End
"Return to the Forbidden Planet" is a rollicking jukebox musical that crash-landed on London’s West End at the Cambridge Theatre on September 18, 1989, running until July 25, 1992, for an impressive 1,516 performances. Written and directed by Bob Carlton, this high-energy show fuses Shakespeare’s The Tempest with the 1956 sci-fi film Forbidden Planet, all set to a score of 1950s and 1960s rock ‘n’ roll classics. Winning the Olivier Award for Best New Musical in both 1989 and 1990, it starred a cast of actor-musicians including Anthony Hunt as Captain Tempest and Brian Abbott as Dr. Prospero, delivering a cosmic cocktail of camp, comedy, and catchy tunes.
A Sci-Fi Shakespearean Adventure
The story kicks off aboard the starship Albatross, where Captain Tempest and his crew are hit by a meteor storm, forcing an emergency landing on the uncharted planet D’Illyria. There, they encounter mad scientist Dr. Prospero, marooned for 15 years with his daughter Miranda and roller-skating robot Ariel after his wife Gloria banished them into hyperspace. Tensions flare as Cookie, the ship’s cook, falls for Miranda who’s smitten with Tempest while Prospero’s experimental “X Factor” formula unleashes a tentacled monster from the id. In a climax of love and sacrifice, Prospero confronts his creation, leaving the crew to escape as D’Illyria implodes.
Carlton’s Cosmic Creation
Bob Carlton conceived this musical with the Bubble Theatre Company in 1983, refining it through runs at Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre and London’s Tricycle Theatre before its West End triumph. The score bursts with hits like “Great Balls of Fire,” “Good Vibrations,” and “Teenager in Love,” performed live by the cast on concealed keyboards and drums. Carlton’s direction leaned into B-movie kitsch silver suits, a roller-skating Ariel while weaving Shakespearean dialogue into the chaos. The original cast, featuring Allison Harding as Miranda and Zena Driver as Gloria, brought the interstellar farce to life with infectious gusto.
A West End Rock ‘n’ Roll Triumph
Opening after a journey from tented origins, "Return to the Forbidden Planet" became a West End sensation, its 1,516-performance run fueled by critical acclaim and audience fervor. The Daily Express dubbed it “the best rock and roll show in town,” while its dual Olivier wins underscored its ingenuity. Produced by Carlton and Laurie Mansfield, it drew crowds with its jiving-in-the-aisles vibe, bolstered by a 1990 Virgin Records cast album. Patrick Moore’s pre-recorded narration as the Newscaster added a quirky touch, bridging sci-fi nostalgia with theatrical flair.
Rock Classics in Orbit
The soundtrack is a galaxy of golden oldies: “Shake, Rattle and Roll” powers the crew’s antics, “She’s Not There” underscores Cookie’s heartbreak, and “Gloria” lifts the finale. “Wipe Out” and “Mr. Spaceman” amplify the sci-fi silliness, while the cast’s live musicianship guitars, drums, and all keeps the energy stratospheric. These songs, paired with Shakespearean snippets, create a playful mash-up that’s as absurd as it is irresistible, a hallmark of the show’s actor-musician ethos.
A Stellar Legacy
Beyond its West End orbit, "Return to the Forbidden Planet" toured the UK in 1999, 2001, and 2002 with Moore, and again in 2006 with Brian May as Newscaster. A 2012 revival at Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, marked Carlton’s final directorial bow before his 2018 passing. Its Off-Broadway run in 1991-1992 notched 243 performances, and a 25th-anniversary UK tour in 2015-2016 kept the party alive. Though rooted in ’50s fears of science gone wild, its humor and heart keep it timeless, a cult classic that still resonates.
Why "Return to the Forbidden Planet" Endures
This musical rockets through Theatreland with its blend of Shakespearean wit, sci-fi camp, and rock ‘n’ roll rebellion. Its West End run was a blast-off moment proof that a madcap mix of puns, poodle skirts, and power chords could conquer London. For audiences, it’s a joyous escape, a starship ride where love, laughter, and a monster or two remind us that even in hyperspace, the human spirit shines brightest.