• Advertise
  • Request Review
  • Write for Us
  • Privacy
  • Login

Theatre Bubble

The UK Theatre Network

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Features
  • Spotlight
  • Opinions
  • Interviews
  • Guides
  • Tickets

Review / The Time Machine at The London Library

March 17, 2020 by Paul Hegarty Leave a Comment

Review of: The Time machine
Price:
Tickets: £32-£35, £28 London Library Members, £18 Previews

Reviewed by: Paul Hegarty
Rating:
3
On March 17, 2020
Last modified:March 17, 2020

Summary:

The Time Machine - a venue to see a play to move you!

More Details

This promenade production of The Time Machine is written by Jonathan Holloway. The new adaptation has ripped into the original text and the result is wild, original, thought provoking and even confusing at times – but what would you expect in a time travelling tale with surreal and psychedelic elements?

With a multi media approach the production (directed by Natasha Rickman) has the audience immersed in video and soundscapes as they are perambulated through a selection of locations – from reading rooms through IT hubs to high stacked-books storage areas arriving in the basement where archived newspapers are stored – yes, you’ve guessed it – The Times!

We are in cahoots with a time traveller (played with great gusto by Paul (PK) Taylor) who explains the chaos that can ensue as we nose dive through eons, time slipping forwards and backwards and as names get bandied about, there is fun and entertaining confusion to be had.

Along our travels we meet and interact with a range of characters, chat-show host, stylishly played by Funlola Olufunwa in gold jacket and a veneer that gets somewhat cracked as out time traveller tells her depressing time tales in an effort to explain how the world population is going to be downsized by some unknown virus – topical or what?  Interacting with Computer and listening to the informative, Graeme Rose was stern and amusing at times, particularly as logging on was so tricky at the start – clearly whatever dimension you are in some things never change! Moving to the basement we come across DRI (Sarah Edwardson) residing in the department of Skepticism, Research and Innovation and she crisply and efficiently lets us know that already decisions are being made to remember, redirect and even replace any retention of the human race -societal palliative care may be needed as the population will be reduced.

So, whacky engaging stuff but all of it is somewhat upstage by the star of the evening – The London Library itself; with a million books, research hubs and cozy reading corners, it is a space that transports us to another time – which it did, at times, more effectively than the play. Certainly The Time Machine at the London Library is unique experience where you can enjoy an historic building while immersing yourself in a whacky and lively version of a story researched and completed in the very building my MR Wells himself.

Creative Team:

Writer Jonathan Holloway
Director Natasha Rickman
Designer Ryan Dawson Laight
Sound Designer Matt Eaton

The Time Machine will be performed at The London Library, St Jame’s Square,  from 29 Feb – 5 April 2020. For more information or to book tickets please visit: www.creationtheatre.co.uk

Author: Paul HegartyPaul is a reviewer and an experienced actor who has performed extensively in the West End (Olivier nominated) and has worked in TV, radio and a range of provincial theatres. He is also a speech, drama and communications examiner for Trinity College London, having directed productions for both students and professionals and if not busy with all that he is then a teacher of English.

Filed Under: Review Tagged With: Creation Theatre Company, HG Wells, The London Library, The Time Machine

Join the discussion Cancel reply

INTERVIEW / Plain Heroines talks SCRATCHES at VAULT Festival 2023

We spoke to director Gabrielle Bird from Plain Heroines about taking part in VAULT Festival 2023 with their show SCRATCHES   Tell us [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Anthony Clark on SHE

Anthony Clark is the writer of SHE, a new show interweaving the stories of 14 different women in their twenties, [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Thick ‘n’ Fast talks General Secretary at VAULT Festival

We spoke to co-writers and performers Cassie Symes and Georgina Thomas about taking part in VAULT Festival 2023 with their [Read More]

NEWS / Too Much World at Once tour announced

Set against a backdrop of the climate crisis, the debut from Papatango shortlisted writer Billie Collins is a lyrical coming [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Ian Nicholas talks The Elephant Song

Ian Nicholas is a theatre producer, running OnBook Theatre alongside director Jason Moore. He talks here about their next production, [Read More]

Top Posts & Pages

  • Hotel- a new play by Polly Stenham at The Shed, National Theatre
  • Willy Hudson on Welcome Home
  • Spotlight On: The London Clown Festival
  • Is this the real location of Ambridge?
  • London Clown Festival Coming to, well, London
  • The Role of Stage Manager in a Devising Company
  • 5 Stage Elements to Consider for a Rousing Theatrical Production
  • 10 Tips to Help You Prepare for Your Reality TV Auditions
  • Katy Owen: How to Apply to Drama Schools*
  • Athena Stevens on seeing what you’ve turned a blind eye to
  • Paul Hegarty
    Contributor

  • March 17th, 2020
  • comment iconNo Comments
  • Facebook16Tweet1LinkedInEmail

    Newsletter

    Enjoyed what you've read? Get even more great content directly to your inbox - Completely Free

    About Theatre Bubble

    Theatre Bubble is the news, review and blogging site created by Blue Pie Media and run by a dedicated team of outstanding editors and writers: we're always looking for new contributors - to find out more click here.

    Contact Us

    News: news@theatrebubble.com
    Reviews: reviews@theatrebubble.com
    Website: webmaster@theatrebubble.com

    Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2023 · Blue Pie Media

     

    Loading Comments...
     

      Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

      Email sent!