Launceston College Heads to a Forbidden Planet This July

A mad scientist, his daughter, a loyal robot and a terrifying monster are about to take over the stage in Launceston. For four nights in July, students at Launceston College are turning their school into the distant planet D’Illyria for a musical that throws Shakespeare and 1950s rock ‘n’ roll into the same orbit.

A space adventure with a rock ‘n’ roll soundtrack

The show is Return to the Forbidden Planet, winner of the Olivier Award for Best Musical. It takes Shakespeare’s The Tempest and crashes it into the classic 1956 sci-fi film Forbidden Planet, and the result is a fast-paced adventure built on comedy, drama and some of the biggest rock ‘n’ roll hits of the 1950s and 1960s.

Audiences land on the mysterious planet D’Illyria, where the story unfolds with plenty of surprises along the way. The soundtrack pulls in much-loved classics including Great Balls of Fire, Good Vibrations, Teenager in Love and Monster Mash, which gives the whole thing a reach right across the generations.

The young cast, part of Athena Learning Trust, have been putting the production together both on stage and behind the scenes.

Four nights only

Performances run from Wednesday 8th to Saturday 11th July, starting at 7.30pm each evening. With just 180 seats available per night, the college is encouraging people to book early.

Tickets and where the money goes

Tickets are £12.50 for adults and £10 for children and concessions, available online at https://www.ticketsource.com/launcestoncollege/e-evxqmx.

Refreshments will be on sale during the interval, with all proceeds going to the college’s Performing Arts department. The production is staged through special arrangement with MTI Europe, on behalf of MTI International.

Matthew Thompson, Principal at Launceston College, said: “Our students have shown incredible commitment, talent and enthusiasm throughout rehearsals, and we are so excited to finally share the production with the community. Whether you’re a fan of musical theatre, classic rock ‘n’ roll or simply looking for a fantastic night out, this show has something for everyone.”