THE genius of Shakespeare and the energy of Rock'n'Roll hits from the 50s and 60s combine to make this a very successful production for Blackwood Musical Theatre Society this week.
Return to the Forbidden Planet is a hugely entertaining musical, with its story very loosely based on Shakespeare's The Tempest, and a large scattering of references from several other of his plays tossed in as well.
The society cope well with its demands, with a very detailed and well structured set of a spaceship complete with air locks and red flashing lights providing a perfect atmosphere.
The cast, including Lee Jones as Captain Tempest and Janine Tayler as Bosun, appear in Star-Trek style outfits, while Prospero (Huw Thomas) appears in a psychedelic 70s style one-piece and Miranda (Rachel Brown) rocks the 60s schoolgirl look.
The musical team is well led by the society's new musical director Ashleigh Powell who keeps the pace fast and the beat uptempo, with a long string of well-know numbers include Great Balls of Fire, Teenager in Love, Only the Lonely, Monster Mash - and there are some good vocal performances from all.
Talented youngsters from the Janet Stephens Theatre Dance boogie their hearts out - it was just a shame there wasn't more room for their energetic routines in the limited space in front of the stage, as they were a joy to watch.
A combination of Rock'n'Roll, dancing, Shakespeare and aliens - what was not to like?
The show runs until Saturday.
Helen Morgan
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