RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET
by Bob Carlton
A brief history of telegenesis:
TELE (prefix), at a distance and
GENESIS (noun) creation, origin or beginning
Telelgenesis, was an attempt by Prospero Laboratories to create matter, both good and evil, from brainpower alone, including using bio-chemical or mechanical sources.
Although partially successful, such research would remain in the realms of cheap, pulp science fiction, until Doctor Prospero, the founder of the laboratories, could find a method of opening up the nine tenths of the brain never used by the average human being – the X factor.
The search for the missing X factor continued, until on a stormy night in the winter of 2009, mad scientist Doctor Prospero, aided by his scheming wife Gloria, worked late into the night in his laboratory to develop the elusive formula with which he would change the world. Gloria, jealous of her husband’s success, overpowered him and sent him into hyperspace in an old shuttlecraft. Unknown to Gloria her infant daughter Miranda slumbered peacefully in the craft. Both of them were catapulted light years into the future. The entire project was closed down and all existing material destroyed by governmental order.
Fifteen years later, a routine survey flight, under the command of chisel-jawed Captain Tempest, leaves the earth’s orbit with a new Science Officer aboard – a hard and bitter woman.
The story of telegenesis would have ended but for Captain Tempest and his crew.
CAST
Originally from Birmingham, Michael’s life as an entertainer started in the ring as a professional kick-boxer. He also trained as a dancer at The Midlands Arts Centre. He attended class at Birmingham’s School of Speech and Drama. Not fulfilled enough Michael accepted a place at The Academy of Live and Recorded Arts, graduating in 1993. In 1996 Michael took three years out when he got heavily involved in the pop business, playing the bass guitar in a band called ‘Pool’. After various single releases, an album launch and a UK tour, including television appearances the dream started to fade and Michael’s love of the stage forced him to quit the band.
Stage appearances include: Blandon Grey in ‘The Play’ (Baron’s Court Theatre), Prince in ‘The Seven Dwarfs’, T.I.E. Tour, Lysander, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ (Worthing, Open Air), Jim, ‘The Absence of Clocks’, (Chat’s Palace, Hackney), ‘Gillette Man’ (a one man show at The Bird’s Nest Theatre, Deptford), Marquis De Mascerille, ‘Two Precious Maidens Ridiculed’ (The King’s Head), Chorus, ‘Angels from America’, (The Shaftesbury Theatre), Will Parker, Understudy, ‘Oklahoma’ (No.1 UK Tour), Dancer / Singer, ‘Dick Whittington’, (Fairfield Halls, Croydon) and Phil in Godber’s Up ‘n’ Under (Tour). Film and Television include: Jed, ‘The Blindspot’ (Avalon Motion Pictures), Peter, ‘Ich Liebe Dich’ (Firebird Productions), Henry Wooton, ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ (SF Envy Films), Benny, ‘Friends Like These’ (SF by Rodney Beckford), Mr Johnson, ‘One Cup of Coffee’ (SF, Firebird Productions), David, ‘The Organ Donor’ (Student Film), 50’s Teenager, Dennis Potter’s ‘Karaoke’ (BBC1 / Channel 4) and ‘The Bill’ (ITV).
Since graduating in 1995 with a BA in Drama from Australia’s Newcastle University, Brenden has worked in a wide variety of theatre and television. Highlights include Harold Prince’s revival of ‘Show Boat’ in Sydney and Melbourne, Rodney Fischer’s lavish production of ‘The Merry Widow’ (also in Australia), production singer aboard M.V. Kareliya for CTC cruises in the South Pacific and South East Asian oceans, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ in Newcastle and ‘The Dream for Kids’ at the Sydney Opera House. Brenden has also appeared in numerous Australian television commercials as well as the off beat comedy series ‘Pizza’ for SBS television. In 2000 Brenden left Australia to study acting at David Mamet’s Atlantic Theatre Company in New York then at East 15 here in London. Not long after graduating from E15 he started working on ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ and has been touring Europe as Riff Raff for the past two years. Audience’s at Upstairs at the Gatehouse might also however, recognise Brenden as Orin (the dentist) Scrivello from Ovation’s hit production last year; ‘Little Shop of Horrors’. He’s thrilled to be back again in this year’s production of ‘Return to the Forbidden Planet’.
Alex attended Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts after gaining a BA Hons in Performing Arts &
Drama from Middlesex University. He was a junior at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and
at fourteen became the youngest member of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain. Credits
include “Benny Anderson” in the hugely successful Abba tribute show, ‘Abba Gold’ (touring
extensively worldwide) and Puck in the Principle Theatre Company’s production of ‘A Midsummer
Night’s Dream’. Training credits include Sammy in ‘Blood Brothers’, Moe in ‘The American Clock and
Carl-Magnus in ‘A Little Night Music’ at the Judi Dench Theatre.
Some audience members may remember Alex playing Audrey II in Ovation’s production of ‘Little
Shop of Horrors’ last year. More recently he played Eddie/Doctor Scott in ‘The Rocky Horror Show’
for Newpalm Productions and over Christmas 2003 he appeared opposite Pop Idol finalist, Korben,
as Captain Hook in ‘Peter Pan’ at the Melton Theatre. Films include a bodyguard in the film ‘Victim’
for Signal Productions and Pete in ‘Bad Friday’. Alex is also an enthusiastic percussionist, cellist and
pianist as well as having a keen interest in martial arts.
Since moving to London from the South West Alan has worked on many different projects and has toured the U.K several times in everything from wide variety of roles from straight drama to song and dance.Recent credits include: male lead in the video for pop singer Tracy Brennick and other pop promos including one for U2. Alan has starred in numerous short films and appeared on various television shows such as the series ‘Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’, ‘Close and True’ and has also featured on programmes like ‘Good Morning, BBC Live’, ‘BBC News’ and Radio 4’s ‘Today Programme’. Other credits include, Tybalt in Romeo & Juliet, Flute in A Midsummer Nights Dream and the male lead in Jim Cartwright’s , ‘Two’ as well as writing and directing scripts for other companies. He has played the trumpet in various wind bands and played guitar and sang in local rock bands. Alan is currently writing and recording an album with the band ‘The Climb’ and has just completed his first stint as the evening presenter on T.L.R radio under the name of ‘Wolfie’, which he hopes to be repeating soon. Alan is extremely pleased to be taking Shakespeare and Rock n’ Roll into space.
Steven trained at Mountview Theatre School and Graduated in July 2002 obtaining a BA(hons). Whilst at Mountview he appeared as Brink in ‘Road’ at the Westminster Theatre, Ted Blacklock in ‘The Hired Man’, Peacey in ‘The Voysey Inheritance’, Costard in ‘Loves Labour’s Lost’, Mr Faulkland in ‘The Rivals’ and Banquo in ‘Macbeth’. Since graduating he has toured with Quantum Theatre and has recently finished touring with a production of ‘The Buzz’ for Box Clever Theatre. Steven also teaches singing at Jigsaw Arts Theatre School and is a Director for Bexley Arts Partnership, having directed ‘Look Back In Anger’ for their ‘Young and Gifted’ workshop.
Recent theatre includes: Anita in ‘Girls Night’ (sell out number one tour), Janine in ‘Dare’ (Bloomsbury), Agnetha in ‘Believe’ (Man In The Moon) Red Riding Hood in ‘Into The Woods’ (Westminster), Mrs Spencer in ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ (Mermaid) Amy in ‘Company’ (Westminster Studio) Mae in ‘Mud’ (Etcetera), Flora in ‘Cold Comfort Farm’ (Birds Nest), Gill in ‘If You Loved Me’ (Rosemary Branch), Ghoolie in ‘Rocky Horror’ (Lauderdale House) and Soloist in ‘No Frills’ (Kings Head). Film & TV includes ‘The Borrowers’, ‘Star Wars Episode One’, ‘Grange Hill’, ‘Waking The Dead’ and Commercials for AA, Clover Butter, IKEA, & BT. Pop video appearances for Madonna, and The Archangels (Mobo Award). Cathy performs her own cabaret act ‘Shaken Not Stirred’ at various venues .
This is Nick’s first musical on the London stage. Theatre includes: ‘Godspell’ for Pain & Panic Productions (Tolbooth Theatre, Stirling), Professor Bumble/King Christophe in ‘Sleeping Beauty’ for M&M Productions (UK Tour). Nick Created the role of Robert in ‘February’s Child’ for Carnival Productions (Edinburgh Festival and Tour). Cabaret includes: Piano Vocalist/Cocktail Pianist for Live Business, Lead Vocalist with ‘Blue Room Audio’ (Corporate cabaret to 5 star hotels across UK) Bass Player for Ellie Jay aboard The Pride Of Hull, Lead Singer with cover band ‘Out Of The Blue’. Nick has been Musical Director for several productions with Live Business and for Stageworx Theatre School.
After graduating from the Italia Conti Academy of Performing Arts, Rebecca went to Germany to understudy and play the role of Christine in ‘Das Phantom der Oper’ (No 1 Tour). Since then she has performed in many theatre productions including the title role in ‘Cinderella’, Alice in ‘Dick Whittington’, and as a Kit Kat girl in ‘Cabaret’ at the Union Theatre, Southwark. More recently Rebecca has been touring the UK and Ireland as a Dancer and Assistant in ‘The Fabulous Magic Of Dr Bondini’ as well as teaching performing arts and piano to pupils aged 3 to adult. She is over the moon to be performing in ‘The Return to The Forbidden Planet’.
Racky trained on the Musical Theatre course at the Arts Educational School in London. She has just returned from the Middle East where she choreographed ‘Rough Crossing’ (Sh! Productions). Racky also choreographed and managed the National tour for Ovation’s production of ‘Forever Plaid’ and London productions of ‘From a Jack to a King’ and ‘It’s Only Make Believe’. You can see her latest pop-style on Emily Blunt’s music video (Sensation). Theatre credits include: Ronnette in ‘Little Shop of Horrors’, Penny in ‘A Slice of Saturday Night’ and Kim in ‘Daydream Believer’ (Upstairs at the Gatehouse) ‘Banging the Drum’ (YBS Dance Tour) Phantom in ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ (Lauderdale House). Racky has her own one-woman show which she performed last month Downstairs at Number 3 Green Street (M.D. Tom Attwood) and you can catch her tinkling the ivories and singing in some classy West End hotels.
Since moving to London in 2001, Gareth has led a busy life drumming and teaching. He is Director of Music at Norfolk House School in Muswell Hill. As well as being the resident drummer at Upstairs at the Gatehouse he also plays with Aerosmith tribute band Toxic Twins. Gareth has spent the last two summers touring Europe with Irish folk/punk band, NECK and last year toured the U.S.A. With punk outfit the Eruptors. Gareth plays drums with cabaret artist Rod Melvin and is a regular collaborator with South African pianist/composer David Hoenigsberg on projects ranging from electro-acoustic opera to jazz improvisations on Schoenberg.CREATIVES
John trained at LAMDA and spent several years in Rep including a long stay at the Theatre Royal, Windsor. He has directed and produced numerous shows including many for cruise lines Cunard and P & O. At Upstairs at the Gatehouse John has directed Forever Plaid (also Edinburgh and National Tour) From a Jack to a King, It’s Only Make Believe (which he co-wrote), A Slice of Saturday Night and Little Shop of Horrors. John is very much involved in the day to day administration of Ovation Theatres and Upstairs at the Gatehouse.PHOTOS
REVIEWS
GOODNESS Gracious, Great Balls of Fire! Christmas showtime again at the Gatehouse – a happening that never fails to surprise and delight. By some miracle and an immense amount of inventive professionalism, enthusiasm and sheer hard graft, this tiny 100-seat venue manages to create an atmosphere to equal any West End theatre with the additional intimacy afforded by the proximity of the audience. The show is adapted from a 1956 sci-fi movie loosely based on The Tempest.
Bob Carlton’s adaptation is spoofed up with sufficient lines plucked willy-nilly from any old Shakespeare play to produce chuckles of recognition from the audience. “Never was a story of more woe than that of Miranda and her Prospero”. In addition, popular songs from the 50s and 60s turn it into a rip-roaring rock ‘n’ roll musical event.
Dr Prospero, a scientific genius who is working on telegenesis (the creative power of thought), is usurped by his jealous wife Gloria who exiles him to space along with his baby daughter Miranda. Sixteen years later, with the help of his faithful roller-blading robot Ariel, he summons up a tempest and shipwrecks a passing space shuttle.
The entire crew is “All Shook Up” and as they “Shake Rattle and Roll”, the Ship’s Captain, a truly decent comic-book hero, complete with moustache and pipe firmly clenched between his teeth, falls in love with Miranda, thus paving the way for further classics like Teenager in Love, Young Girl and Good Vibrations.
This hugely talented cast under the direction of John Plews are required not only to sing, dance and speak verse but to perform on a variety of musical instruments. Forbidden Planet won an Olivier award in 1990 and the author should be proud of this energetic revival with its futuristic set, its technical expertise and full-throated harmonies.
Recommended for rockers and Shakespeare buffs.
This is a gloriously daft, joyful
and entertaining treat of a festive show from that constantly creative
powerhouse of the
Miranda, sweetly played by Kate
Buxton reminiscent of
But hark, what light on yonder computer screen breaks? Is that a beep flitting across it, or perhaps two? The navigation officer isn’t sure. All together now: ‘Two beeps or not two beeps, that is the question…’. The show abounds in Shakespeare quotations to fit the occasion and plenty of Trekkie jokes too – and the thing is, you can’t help but laugh. Plenty of rhyming couplets in the style of Shakespeare but with 21st century rhymes, including many from Angela Rippon who makes her appearance on video as ye olde newscaster and narrator.
The show is directed and produced
by husband-and-wife team
If you are feeling jaded and in
need of a post-New Year tonic, this is just the ticket. All that remains is to
state that ancient Vulcan valediction –
The set of Return to the Forbidden Planet looks like an episode of Star Trek, except for the drum kit on a platform above the stage and the saxophones and trumpet hanging on hooks. The instruments, incongruous amongst the control panels and screens, give some idea of the rollercoaster ride through music of the fifties and sixties we will be treated to during the next two hours. This musical by Bob Carlton, which fuses rock’n’roll and Shakespeare, was performed in 1983 and is currently being presented by Ovation at the Gatehouse. It uses Shakespeare’s play The Tempest, and the Bard’s linguistic style to tell the story of mad scientist Doctor Prospero, who created a formula called the X factor to enable him to use the nine tenths of the brain never used by the average human,
Return to the Forbidden Planet is a
viable alternative to pantomime, with its catchy songs, dances and sense of
fun. Whole chunks of plays such as
Hamlet and King Lear are used, seemingly verbatim, or altered for comedy
effect, but you don’t need to know the Complete Works of Shakespeare to enjoy
the show. The actors all play at least two
instruments to a high standard, so the musical numbers, with include Good
Vibrations and Teenager in Love, are spectacular. Gareth Dylan Smith does a tremendous job with
the drumkit, while the rest of the cast wow the audience with saxophones,
trumpet, keyboards, guitars, tambourines and singing.
Angela Rippon makes a special guest appearance on screen as a newscaster commenting on the action. Alan Howell dazzles as Ariel the rollerblading robot, while Kate Buxton as Miranda and Rebecca Oliver as Navigation Officer show off their brilliant singing voices. Michael Instone provides Miranda’s love interest as the chisel-jawed Captain Tempest while Cookie (Steven Rathman) and Bosun (Nicholas Sagar) also perform some great duets. Racky Plews deserves special mention for her choreography and vision mixing – creating such energetic dancing in a small space is quite a feat. Brenden Lovett as Doctor Prospero and Cathy McManaman as Gloria really shine. The special effects are spectacular – watch out for the giant green tentacles.
This production demonstrates why it’s
such a cult hit.
Bob Carlton’s entertainingly kitsch Olivier Award-winning musical blasts off on yet another flight. Based on the 1956 B-movie Forbidden Planet, which was loosely based on The Tempest, the show is still a glorious parody of Shakespeare and fifties sci-fi films, complete with rock music from that period. Prefiguring, the ‘compilation musical’ Carlton’s selection of song lyrics to fit in with the story is as ingenious as the way he quotes- and misquotes – the Bard.
In designer Katy Tuxford’s spaceship cockpit – a nice homage
to low-budget film sets – we see Captain Tempest and his crew aboard the
Starship Albatross forced to land on the uncharted planet of D’Illyria by the
mad scientist Doctor Prospero, marooned with his daughter Miranda for fifteen
years.
Director John Plews makes the most of the show’s tongue in
cheek humour and draws accomplished performances from the cast, who not only
act, sing and dance but play all the instruments with gusto. Michael Instone’s
pipe-smoking Tempest is an amusingly patronising but dim comic book hero. Brenden Lovett’s staring-eyed Prospero is
Donald Pleasence on acid, while Cathy McManaman changes seamlessly from cool Science
Officer to the vampish Gloria, Kate Buxton’s girlish Miranda turns into a
rebellious teenager in love and Alan Howell plays rollerblading Ariel with aplomb. This show definitely has good vibrations.