Last night I had the strangest dream…….Actually it wasn’t a dream it was a performance of Return to the Forbidden Planet – a love story set in space, said to be based on The Tempest and billed as Shakespeare's forgotten rock and roll masterpiece.
The comic strip-styled caper is an Olivier award winning best musical and, as such, is laced with vocal numbers throughout. From 50s Good Vibrations through to Nirvana and with a spot of Jimi Hendrix in-between; all performed with passion and a hint of Hammond.
The costumes reminded me of Brighton Pride more than Battlestar Galactica and I really wasn’t sure what was going on until the second half - that could be down to my lack of comic-strip nous or else Shakespearean plot ignorance - but the singing and musical talent is second to none and made for an all-round enjoyable, if slightly bonkers experience.
For feel-good high jinks, complete with a Brian May VT and cola branded robot in padded trunks, I can’t think of anything better.
Return to the Forbidden Planet is on at the Theatre Royal until Saturday 24 January.
Ruth
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