Greeted by space hostesses in amazing uniforms followed by space drill for passengers embarking on SS Albatross, you get the feeling that you are going to enjoy the journey!
Based loosely on Shakespeare’s ‘Tempest’ the dialogue is in that style with sufficient nods to other of his works to enrage any English teacher who had stumbled upon the show.
The cast consist of talented young people and there are a number of striking performances with the overall standard high. The choreography and movement of characters was also eye-catching throughout with the finale exceptional.
Ewan Ogilvie strides the stage ‘hamming’ the hero part and dealt well with his solos. The two female principals, Camila Piccinini and Ella Hopgood also handled their vocals with ease and style although they looked more like sisters than mother and daughter. Owen Donkin playing the lovelorn cook and Olivier Sublet as Prospero are also very good.
Despite having a reputation as a ‘juke box’ musical I suspect the director has cut down on the songs without destroying the storyline. Shakespeare, whether authentic, or shall we say adapted, is difficult for actors and a couple need to slow down and project a little more.
In singing songs of yesteryear, it’s very easy to copy the original but I thought that the cast acted their lyrics where appropriate and this helped carry the story.
Sam Rietbergen has to cope with a robot costume complete with roller skates as well as some long speeches in the bard’s style.
The ensemble add to the overall feeling that this is a good production and while the plot seems even more fanciful set in outer space, the audience left with a smile on their faces and that can’t be bad.
Show timers: til 19 August, 13.05
Tickets: £6.50 - £7.50