Return to the Forbidden Planet is one of those cult musicals in the vein of The Rocky Horror Show that has a slender plot, belts out instantly recognisable songs and doesn’t take itself too seriously.

It doesn’t take itself seriously at all really on this the 25th anniversary tour. Like mad scientist Dr Prospero’s mindbending drug “X Factor”, it’s a heady concoction with bastardised Shakespeare, versatile musicianship and sci-fi nonsense.

The spaceship was preparing for take-off on entering the auditorium of Dartford’s Orchard Theatre. Once we had completed the reverse polarity drill, hands on cranium (“That’s your head!”) pumping furiously, the journey was under way.

And, yes, it was predictably a bumpy ride. As always, the accomplished actor-musicians head off into space with The Surfaris’ rousing Wipe Out and a spot of The Tornados’ Telstar thrown in.

Based on the 1956 movie Forbidden Planet and the Bard’s The Tempest, there is a fusion of songs from the 50s and 60s and cringeworthy quotes such as “Beware the ids that march”.

Sean Needham is a laidback, pipe-smoking sexist Captain Tempest declaring it’s a man’s world (cue for song) to his science officer (Christine Holman) and dismissing Sarah Scowen’s Miranda – described in the programme as “Virgin and would-be Homecoming Queen” – as too young (cue Gary Puckett and the Union Gap’s Young Girl).

The plot, should it be relevant, concerns the spaceship attracting an unusual star and discovering it’s occupied by Dr Prospero and daughter Miranda, who had been set adrift 15 years earlier.

Highlights include Mark Newnham’s love-struck Cookie launching into a guitar solo on The Zombies’ She’s Not There. He even plays with his teeth at one point a la Jimi Hendrix.

Another guitar virtuoso Brian May appears on screen as the narrator to provide a recap for any newbies in the audience who would be forgiven for being confused.

Although the whole cast impresses with their instrument swapping and vocal talent, other highpoints were Needham’s insouciant Captain, Joseph Mann’s agile robot Ariel, Holman’s powerful rendition of Go Now and the clever set and effects.

It’s always best leave the audience on a high note and the cast certainly did that by shrugging off their costumes and diving into a pop gig for a rip-roaring encore.

Book your flight now. Return to the Forbidden Planet is at The Orchard until Saturday, February 7. Visit www.orchardtheatre.co.uk or call 01322 220000.