GOODNESS gracious, great balls of fire!

There’ll be rock ‘n’ roll classics galore as Skipton Musical Theatre presents sci-fi musical Return To The Forbidden Planet.

The high-energy fun show will be performed at Skipton’s Mart Theatre from October 20 to 22.

The cosmic adventure, inspired by the 1956 movie The Forbidden Planet, plays riotous havoc with Shakespeare’s play The Tempest.

It’s packed with 50s and 60s song favourites such as Teenager In Love, The Young Ones, Monster Mash, Wipe Out and Shake, Rattle And Roll.

A spokesman said: “Board the space-ship, fasten your seat belts, and get ready for an inter-galactical experience of meteoric proportions!”

The show pipped mega-hit Miss Saigon to win the Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 1989.

Playing the chisel-jawed hero Captain Tempest is Keighley man Philip Smith, who also performs regularly with Sutton’s Green Hut Theatre Company and Skipton Little Theatre.

He joins Skipton Musical Theatre regulars Helen Procter as Gloria the mysterious science officer, and regular Keighley Playhouse performer Dale Chadwick, who is both the mad scientist Dr Prospero and the show’s director.

Making her debut for Skipton Musical Theatre is another Green Hut veteran, Emma Jayne Byers, to play rock and roller-skating robot Ariel.

Philip and Emma-Jayne are both playing leading roles in this December’s pantomime in Sutton, Cinderella.

Skipton resident David Weale joins the group in another double role as both Cookie, the love-forlorn ship’s cook, and one of the show’s three musical directors.

Skipton Little Theatre promise Good Vibrations in an energetic, no holds barred rock ‘n’ roll show. There are performances of the evening and a Saturday matinee.

Visit themarttheatre.org.uk or call 01756 709660 to book tickets.