SADIE O'NEILL PORTFOLIO
Return to the Forbidden Planet
"Return to the Forbidden Planet" is a jukebox musical that combines elements of Shakespeare's "The Tempest" with 1950s science fiction films, particularly the 1956 cult classic "Forbidden Planet."
The musical, written by Bob Carlton, first premiered in 1984. Set on a spaceship named "SS Albatross," the story follows Captain Tempest and his crew as they crash-land on the uncharted planet of D'Illyria. On this strange planet, they encounter the mad scientist Doctor Prospero, his beautiful daughter Miranda, the monster Ariel, and a roller-skating robot named Ariel. As the crew attempts to repair their ship and escape the planet, they find themselves entangled in a comedic and musical adventure filled with rock 'n' roll hits from the 1950s and 1960s.
One distinctive feature of "Return to the Forbidden Planet" is its innovative use of live music on stage. The musical incorporates a rock 'n' roll band as part of the cast, playing hits like "Great Balls of Fire," "Good Vibrations," and "Wipe Out" to enhance the storytelling and create a lively atmosphere. The characters often break into song and dance, seamlessly blending classic tunes with the narrative. The integration of instruments on stage not only adds a dynamic and energetic element to the production but also makes it a unique and entertaining experience for the audience.
Costume
We wanted to have different colour boiler suits to show the status of the different characters within the play. We also showed this by creating badges and epaulettes for certain roles.
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Set Design
We we given the opportunity to have a two-story set for Return to the Forbidden Planet. This was a fun but difficult project as we needed to make sure everyone was safe as well as fitting all the instruments on the stage.
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Lighting
I was still new to lighting when we first stared rehearsing but Callum, who is now at LAMDA doing this as a course, helped me to learn the basics. We listened to the music and programmed the lighting cues. It turned out amazing and i was thankful for the learning opportunity.
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