As the title suggests, Original Theatre’s
The Time Machine, importantly subtitled “A Comedy”, takes the 1895 novella by classic science fiction writer H. G. Wells of the same name as its source material. However, while the name is on the show, those expecting a straight, or even, as suggested, comedic full version of the story, will be disappointed, as this often drifts, like the machine of the title, out of control from the source material. What we do have though is a tremendously thrilling couple of hours of entertainment, where the unexpected, is very much at every turn, and indeed at times, even unexpected for the actors on stage.
Original Theatre’s The Time Machine takes the form of a play within a play, here all three of the actors in the production are pretending to be playing themselves playing several characters within the story. This allows for much of the staple of plays that go wrong to rear their head, including dysfunctional scenery and repeated sequences, here used in an inventive way in particular.
Leading the trio of actors is the chiselled form of George Kemp, who for the story, purports to be an ancestor of H. G. Wells, who just so happens to have a replica of the time machine which has been handed down through his family. As a result of his family tree, George is desperate to present and create on stage the story of The Time Machine.
Assisting, often unwillingly are the other two members of the cast, the fabulous Michael Dylan and script-clutching understudy Noah Maullo following an injury to main cast member Amy Revelle. They are both excellent, with Maullo especially very impressive considering the situation he finds himself in, very much throwing himself into the performance with aplomb. Dylan is a strong force as well, and with a cast so small, and a show so finely paced and timing essential, they all need to be on their game and this they are.
As for the show itself, The Time Machine is a grower and then a decliner, reaching its best quality in the second half of the first act, after taking time to find its feet in the first half hour. Then the first half hour of the second act relies on the success of its participating audience as the fourth wall is shattered. The performance I saw garnered good material and interaction from the audience (albeit a little too enthusiastic in one instance), but, as with all shows taking so much from an audience, some nights this might stumble a tad.
Finally, the last half hour culminates in a series of both crazy and bizarre moments and surprisingly heartwarming and poetic ones, Dylan here is at his best, which comes as a surprise in a show as silly as this. The overall feel of the show really is that it is a typical hour fringe show expanded just a little beyond its comfort into a two-hour touring show
What is left however at the end of the evening is a big grin on the majority of the faces of the audience. The Time Machine is just such a fast-paced and highly entertaining show, that while much of the time it is not, considering the theatre group creating it, original, provides laughs and fun to the very finish. A definite one to put on your theatre trip list.
Extremely silly and immensely funny, The Time Machine is a fabulous evening of theatre.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance reviewed: Tuesday 26th March 2024 at the Royal & Derngate (Royal), Northampton.
The Time Machine is on stage at Royal & Derngate until Saturday 30th March 2024.
For further details about the Royal & Derngate and to book tickets see their website at http://www.royalandderngate.co.uk
Photos: Mark Douet
(Photos depict the
original three cast members)
