The title should be enough reason to see this. That’s right, Alien…. on stage! Although technically, this is actually a behind the scenes documentary about an amateur dramatic stage production of Alien, by a bunch of Dorset bus drivers. Brilliant! Deciding to try something different from the traditional pantomime, they embark on a bold retelling of a sci-fi horror classic. This is ambitious stuff. “I can’t imagine how you convert that into a stage drama” says one player, but that’s the point. No one in their right mind would attempt this. It’s just a bunch of regular people. Trying something creative. DIY props, costumes. It’s all a bit rough and ready, but made with love and you know what, some of it is really good! In fact, all of it is really good!! We’re introduced to the cast and crew in their daily lives, driving buses, talking about practicing lines. None of them have done anything like this before, the props guy watched some YouTube videos to figure out how to make the pods, facehugger, the alien, but he’s a natural. “I hope everything does what Ridley Scott wanted it to do, but in a more basic format”. The story though isn’t just the valiant production. It’s its failure and rebirth. You see it seems it didn’t catch the Dorset locals attention on its first presentation. But the makers of this doc loved it! Not only that, but with a bit of buzz created and some crowdfunding, they set out to do it again, for one night, in the West End. Honestly there’s a lot going on, but it’s the people that make this tick. Everyone’s so bloody lovely it’s impossible not to root for them. There is tension, but only with the clock ticking down on the big night. They’re a tight team, having a laugh. It’s playful, delightful, quintessentially British. I don’t mean foppy period drama British, or chavy influencer obsessed British. This is what Britain is really like. Regular people, getting by and being unassumingly brilliant. Watching them rehearse, you’re wondering if they can actually pull this off. “We are going to struggle” Director Dave says, but despite all the butterflies, the enthusiasm is infectious. It’s seat of your pants stuff and absolutely wonderful! A great story, told perfectly. Pure joy.
9/10
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