THE TIME MACHINE- A COMEDY AT THE ARTS THEATRE CAMBRIDGE
The Time Machine by the Original Theatre Company. Photo by Mark Douet _
Travel though time is a magnetic idea. What if we could re-visit the past, see what it was really like? Or propel into the future – even more intriguing. Wells’ made his name with his savage treatment of this notion. When it came out, the book rocked the Victorian world- a hero rockets off into the distant hundreds of years away future to find a society divided between two tribes, the underworld Morlocks and the élite effete Eloi in their idleness and finery above.
Last night’s version subverts the story. The cast create a comedy. And it is funny, in the style of Michael Frayn’s farcical Noises Off (always a classic skit on the inept theatre company) and ‘The Play that goes Wrong’ with the same idea, missed cues, useless actors , shaky props and outbreaks of thespian temper tantrums, especially from the over bearing George Kemp who plays the role with stylish exasperation . As the direct descendant of H.G. Wells he feels it is his mission to explain the physics of time and take the trip himself. Suddenly we are back in the 19th century with George as Bertie, (HG Wells ) and his time travelling machine. Amy Revelle is brilliant as his strait-laced fiancée and Michael Dylan is scintillating as the sceptical friend. Yet the play collapses continually - and hilariously - as the game threesome revert to their off-beat cynical 21st century selves, quarrels break out, -no one can stand George, Michael is full of angst and Amy powered by a reasonable rage at the patronizing tone George takes. George continues in his one track minded witty sexy role of as actor- in chief and we think that’s it.
Madcap antics in The Time Machine
But in the second half the play takes a tremendous turn. Stage events collide with reality and the meaning of life, of friendship, love and the future of the world take over. A real life ‘tragic accident ‘turns the tables, and the drama plunges into fascinating territory with the most extraordinary twists I for one am still trying to get my head around. The actors are remarkable, the play much more than I can really share without spoiling the intrigue and the whole thing is a brave funny and thought-provoking riot. Certainly, the audience must surrender to the ideas within, but it is a play for anyone literally between eight years old and eighty – we had both in our party and they all enjoyed it. Outrageous twists, a brilliant set complete with mists and cloud, audience participation and the latest in theatre technology all help.
What a wonderfully whacky night out this was. If you feel open minded and in need of some seriously funny entertainment, take a punt on this sparkling show.
