Reverse Polarity!

March 2006 saw us put on Bob Carlton's rock and roll musical Return to the Forbidden Planet.  The story, which is based on William Shakespeare's The Tempest, takes place in space aboard the USS Albatross.  Without spending too long on the plot Captain Tempest and his crew are caught in a tractor beam and pulled towards a planet called D'Illyria where Doctor Prospero and his daughter Miranda are waiting for the ship to come along.  Once on board Miranda falls for the Captain and it soon becomes apparent that Prospero is not all he seems and is able to conjour up monsters to attack the ship without realising it.  Only his robot, Ariel, can stop the crew being harmed.  Prospero's estranged wife, Gloria, who is on the ship as Science Officer also causes some problems before all is made good and the story ends.  Confused? All would have been clear had you seen the show!

The show was quite technical, involving a complicated lighting design and video projection as well as a complete sound system with all the main cast requiring radio mics.  A seven piece band brought the venue to life and the kids involved performed with enthusiasm and charisma.  The set was the flight deck of the USS Albatross and plenty of hard work went into the design and creation of it.  Three performances were given and the audiences on each night were presented with a highly professional and entertaining show.  Fifty boys and girls were involved from Years 6 - 8 and their hard work ensured once again that an Eagle House production lifted the roof of the Assembly Hall!

Ariel appearing through the Airlock       Miranda and Gloria raise the roof with Hey Mr Spaceman

Along with the main cast on stage a group of dancers called the Astro Groovers performed several slick routines and the backing group, the Asteroids, gave many of the songs real depth and polish.

And what of the main characters themselves?  James Sharples played Tempest and his potrayal as the cool and calm hero was perfect; a very different role to last year's Oliver!  Sanne van der Steeg was tremendous as the Science Officer, putting all the others in their place and giving us some great renditions of Tell Her and Gloria.  Clare Symons as Miranda was excellent as the young innocent girl smitten with the Captain. Her version of Teenager in Love was a highlight.  Illias Thoms as Doctor Prospero gave a superb performance and the audience loved the crazed scientist, particularly when he led the cast in The Monster Mash!  Jake Aungier played lovesick Cookie with energy and style.  His gutsy version of She's Not There was excellent. Jonny Burgin was the robot Ariel and he brought the 'metallic' droid to life with humour and wonderful mannerisms.  As he also spent each show on rollerskates he deserves high praise indeed!  Luke Mason was the ever reliable Bosun and he gave his all to the part; Only the Lonely revealing an untapped singing talent!  Three Naviagation Officers - Angus Boobbyer, Dominic Cooke and Louis Timpany kept the ship on course and were very believable as the ship lurched from problem to problem.  With all the dialogue being Shakespearean text (corrupted or otherwise!) the actors had an added task of making the story clear and humorous - they certainly succeeded.

All involved in this great show deserve plenty of praise. From the music to the costumes, from the lighting and sound to the set, it was another Eagle House spectacular.

Wipeout

We Have Lift Off!