Cannibal Women of Mars

Cannibal Women of Marsis a rude, bawdy rock musical about two hapless and unemployed earthlings, Jaxxon McGhee and Largs Lido (Mark Prendergast and Darren Brownlie), who are conned into taking a trip to Mars by the evil “President of Earth” (Gavin Mitchell). The virginal 21-year-olds have been promised sexual bliss on all-female Mars, only to discover on arrival that the supposedly horny natives are really men-eating viragos.

Sex tourists getting their commeupance is one of the themes of this world-premiere musical whose comic-book sensibilities are evident from the start. But the show’s pointed humor and, above all, its catchy tunes and electrifying performances, make for a satisfying and entertaining evening.

The Martians are led by a royal family whose queen (Marj Hogarth) is a bloodthirsty monster (blame it on her poisonous necklace; don’t ask how she came by it.) One of her daughters, Princess Pippa (HelenMcAlpine) is equally carnivorous (only male flesh will do), but the other daughter, Princess Yasmin (Fiona Wood), is, well, something of a vegan.

What’s a musical comedy without a love story? In Cannibal Women Yasmin finds herself falling for Jaxxon and vice versa. The affair has its complications, of course. For one, her family constantly pressures Yasmin to make hamburger meat out of Jaxxon. Not to worry: love wins out over gluttony; harmony is restored to the planetary system.

Cannibal Women of Mars has been slickly directed by Andy Arnold and its witty tunes engage throughout, with the important help of a five-piece band led by Sally Clay. Best of all is the cast, a merry bunch of songsters whose energy and pizzazz never flags or falters.