From the moment the Space Hostesses asked the audience, sorry, passengers for ‘Return to the Forbidden Planet’ 
to fasten their seatbelts, we knew that we were in for a treat! The musical is based loosely on "The Tempest" and craftily combines a plethora of Shakespearean quotes with some of the best-known classic 60s pop songs.
The intricate plot is based aboard the Starship Enterprise; we travel with Captain Tempest and his crew – including a woman-hating bosun, a feminist Science Officer and a cook who resents being asked to provide food.
After an asteroid storm – “Goodness Gracious: Great Balls of Fire!” -they are forced to land on the planet D'Illyria where they encounter the mad scientist, Dr Prospero, his daughter, Miranda, and Ariel, a remarkable robot.
The cook falls in love with Miranda but she only has eyes for Captain Tempest (“Why must I be a teenager in love?”) and that is just the start!
As ever, the cast and crew excelled themselves! The costumes were striking and the set gave a spectacular illusion 
of depth and perspective. The cast delivered their lines with perfect timing, handling Shakespeare's most famous verses with aplomb.
All this, interspersed with some truly foot tapping rock and roll numbers featuring several soloists, provided the ‘passengers’ with an extremely enjoyable evening. Definitely a case of “Good Vibrations”! Huge thanks and congratulations to Mark Slawinski, Jane Thomas and their team, and all the girls involved on and off stage.
(A full review may be found on our website www.farlingtonschool.net )