Skip to main content
My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

EDINBURGH 2019: Review: THE WAR OF THE WORLDS, Pleasance Courtyard

By:
Featured Topic Edinburgh Festival More Coverage
EDINBURGH 2019: Review: THE WAR OF THE WORLDS, Pleasance Courtyard Image
EDINBURGH 2019: Review: THE WAR OF THE WORLDS, Pleasance Courtyard Image

Inspired by the famous Orson Welles radio production of the classic novel depicting Martian tripods invading Earth, this production from physical theatre company Rhum and Clay takes a wider scope than simply retelling the seminal sci-fi story.

The War of the Worlds switches from often amusing scenes recreating the recording in a radio studio, to a contemporary podcast journalist investigating a deceased neighbour's life-changing experience of the hysteria caused by Welles's dramatisation.

The piece draws neat, often humbling, parallels between the convincing use of a news format for the radio production and the impact of fake news in our modern era.

It shows the power radio had over the public in its heyday, but suggests that while technology may have progressed since then, as a society, we may not have come as far as we think.

An incredibly slick production, the four-strong acting ensemble slip between a multitude of roles with consummate ease, supported by a well-executed design.

Lighting by Nick Flintoff and Pete Maxey is exceptional throughout, but particularly when evoking the appearance of the Martian invaders, supported ably by Ben Grant's sound design.

Effects are operated from a radio control booth that forms part of the set, an ever-present reminder of the human element that controls the stories that we consume each day.

Engaging, witty and thought-provoking, with plenty of theatrical chops to back up Isley Lynn's timely script, this is a highly effective piece of theatre.

Reader Reviews

To post a comment, you must register and login.





Need more Scotland Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Summer season, discounts & more...


BroadwayWorld TV


Elvis in Chaos in Scotland Elvis in Chaos
Lime Studio at Greenside @ George Street (8/07-8/15) VIDEOS
Heated Rivalry: The Musical Parody! in Scotland Heated Rivalry: The Musical Parody!
Gilded Balloon Patter House - Other Yin (8/05-8/30)
The Business Man and The Case of M. Valdemar  in Scotland The Business Man and The Case of M. Valdemar
Greenside Venue @ Riddles Court (Willow Studio) – Venue 16 - 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PG (8/07-8/28)
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in Scotland Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Alhambra Theatre (10/07-10/10)
Tell Me in Scotland Tell Me
Summerhall (Dissection Room) (8/07-8/31)
Long Way Home in Scotland Long Way Home
Gilded Balloon (Snug) (8/05-8/31)
Sanctuary in Scotland Sanctuary
Pleasance Dome (Ace Dome) (8/05-8/31)
Reparations in Scotland Reparations
Pleasance Courtyard (Above) (8/05-8/30)
Glob in Scotland Glob
Underbelly (8/05-8/30)
Father, Away She Goes in Scotland Father, Away She Goes
Zoo (Playground 1) (8/07-8/30)