War of the Worlds at the Dukes Lancaster Theatre*****

As life on earth appears to be breaking down all around us, H G Wells’ dystopian classic no longer seems to be a sci-fi fantasy.

While in 1898 he was responding to the devastating results of colonialism and the terrifying development of modern warfare, 126 years later Martians may not have invaded the world but political leaders and a violated planet are making us question our survival.

At first glance, this production from Imitating the Dog looks every inch a small scale one. Its tour doesn’t take it on the usual circuit, and with a cast of just four and a couple of monitors and video screens, I wasn’t expecting too much. How wrong I was! It’s epic! 

This company, known for its groundbreaking storytelling over the past 25 years, takes the bones of Wells’ story and fleshes it out to present something which is, quite frankly, out of this world!

Not only are three of the actors playing different characters, they are also making a movie, using hand held cameras, small models and multiple backdrops, which are being projected as they film. It’s mindblowing and visually, audibly, and technically exciting. We, the audience, get a cinematic experience while also seeing how the film is constructed. It must be a logistical nightmare for the multi-tasking performers, who have to make sure they are in their right positions every second, filming and being filmed, while going in and out of different characters. I reckon, once they’ve completed this tour they’ll be qualified to do anything that’s ever thrown at them.

The protagonist is Will Travers, played with full conviction by Gareth Cassidy who, in nothing but bloodied pyjamas, takes us on a terrifying road trip as he wakes up in an abandoned hospital and then tries to negotiate burning buildings, blocked roads and those pesky aliens to reach his home and wife in Epsom. Along the way he encounters some really crazy characters. Bonnie Baddoo, in particular, does deranged really well, and also shows great versatility when it comes to different dialects, while Morgan Bailey’s facial expressions alone are enough to scare us rigid. It only leaves Amy Dunn as Travers’ wife to inject a little bit of normality.

There are, understandably, so many people to be lauded on the technical side of things, but to every single person involved, including writers and directors Pete Brooks and Andrew Quick, you’ve done brilliantly!

Image: Ed Waring

War of the Worlds is at the Dukes Lancaster Theatre until Feb 21.

Box office: 01524 598500

www.dukeslancaster.org

It then continues touring:

Feb 25-28: The Lowry Salford

Mar 4-7: Liverpool Playhouse

Mar 11-14: New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich

Mar 18-21: Belgrade Theatre Coventry

Apr 15-18: Theatr Clwyd Mold

Apr 22-25: Blackpool Grand Theatre

Apr 29-May 2: Arts Theatre Cambridge