PERFORMER Mark Newnham reckons that a mix of rock and roll and William Shakespeare will be a real hit in Manchester.

Return to the Forbidden Planet will see a melting pot of Shakespeare's The Tempest, sci-fi and classic rock performed at the Palace Theatre from Friday to Monday.

The Olivier Award-winning show is currently touring to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

"Weirdly it kind of works," said Mark.

"I think it’s because of its wackiness that people have a fondness for it.

“One minute the audience can be enjoying a romantic piece of Shakespeare and then the next moment a piece of rock music hits them in the face.

“The mad B-movie and sci-fi elements are absurd and a little bit stupid, but it is very endearing."

The Brighton performer plays Cookie in the musical, a hopeless romantic and a cook, a character he says he can relate to.

He added: "He falls in love with Miranda, but she doesn’t return his love, instead she falls in love with the captain of the ship.

"I guess I can see myself in Cookie because when I was younger I have been unlucky in love.

"I do enjoy it though because it means that the audience are on my side!"

The musical features music from the likes of the Beach Boys, Jimmy Hendrix, Elvis and The Zombies.

"It’s a real mixed bag. It’s also a real laugh and all of the musicians are really good Mark, who studied at drama school Rose Bruford College, admitted he gets nervous before performing.

He said: "When I started this tour I did get a bit nervous because we opened up in Brighton which is my home town so a lot of my friends and family were there so that was a bit nerve-racking.

"We had Brian May in the audience and for one of the songs and I have to do a big four minute long guitar solo so that brought back the nerves very quickly!

"I spoke to him afterwards and he said my solo was great!"

Mark is currently working with the Half Moon Theatre which puts on productions for young people.

"Kids are the hardest critics you can get," he added.

"So I thought, if I can do something good with my life it would be to take theatre to children from a young age and to make them laugh.

- Return to the Forbidden Planet is at Manchester Palace Theatre from Friday to Monday.

RACHEL HOLMES