The nonsense words have been set to music and the poo jokes have been polished. After many months of work Space Neighbours on Uranus is setting out on tour to schools across Lutruwita. Although there are three words in the whole show the story is clear, told through physical comedy and sometimes sadness. The yelling of the kids in the first school was the best kind of theatre review: ‘She’s evil mate! Break the pipes!’
Rosie Cann, Guy Hooper, Corey Saylor-Brunskill and Jem Nicholas brought their gifts to the making of these characters, and Matthew Fargher scored every moment of it with rich sound effects. Stage Manager Olivia Vermey hit buttons like she had five hands. Nathan Maynard’s writing and direction has somehow made a tale of invasion and extraction delightful to watch: he’s a master at slipping past the gatekeepers with his message.
The show design is aimed at being durable, easy for performers to lug in and out of schools and minimal in bulk to reduce emissions, as well as communicating an off-planet tale clearly with out words. Now across the island, in and out of the Terrapin van and playing over 90 venues it will be put to the test.
