I’ve recently re-discovered uber-geeky, phenominally camp, and all round fantastic Olivier Award winning Brit musical from 1989/1990; Return To The Forbidden Planet.
For anyone, such as I, who is a super-awesome hybrid of musical theatre buff, all round nerdy geek, sci-fi enthusiast and lover of rock and roll, THIS is the musical for you! 😛
Based loosely on Shakepeare’s The Tempest (and the 1950s film The Forbidden Planet – which also borrowed heavily from The Tempest), the musical falls into the ‘jukebox’ category for it’s use and adaptation of several rock ‘n’ roll classics. To my knowledge, this would happen to be one of the first successful jukebox musicals, and was light years ahead of current west end shows such as WWRY and Jersey Boys.
Here are some Spotify links to a few of my favourite Return To The Forbidden Planet versions that are featured in the show are as below (apols, this show is fairly cult, and there’s very little on YouTube!):
Various Artists – We Gotta Get Out Of This Place
Various Artists – All Shook Up
Various Artists – Good Vibrations
Various Artists – Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood
Various Artists – Great Balls Of Fire
Various Artists – It’s A Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World
Gari Wellingham 