Return To The Forbidden Planet
by Bob Carlton

Reviewed by Peter Steptoe for The Croydon Advertiser

This cult rock musical may not be everybody’s toast and marmalade with its two-dimensional characters but the Theatre Workshop Coulsdon make it a night out to remember.

It is loosely based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest with dialogue lifted from all his plays; it is set in Startrek land and the back stage crew have a ball, with a great set, sparky costumes, effective lighting and spooky sound.

Richard Lloyd as Prospero aids our enjoyment by playing it seriously. Here is an actor whose eyes actually flash.

Miranda (Kimberley Argles) is his daughter who plays the young crumpet and Marilyn Munroe look-a-like perfectly.

The roller-skating robot Ariel (Lisa Lloyd) did not disappoint, while Stellar (Emma Rose) and Britt-Anya (Lucy-Ann Martin) were the sort of flight attendants we all know and love; but ours can also sing; in fact the whole cast are good at the vocals.

Cookie (Chris Blakeney) was the Buttons-type character who enlisted sympathy and Tanya Allison was suitably sinister as the science officer.

Captain Tempest (Neil Grew) had the difficult part of the pipe-smoking commander and lover of Miranda. I’m not sure the pipe helped but he manfully did his best.

The Planettes were an unobtrusive but effective backing group.