I was awed by this film, with mouth dropping open at the scenery, the use of light, the pattern of rock, the flowing yellow fabric of Lady Jessica’s dress in the desert wind, the explosive bombs dropping from spaceships, desecrating the landscape below and the story of betrayal, political play and intrigue.
There’s that absolute silence that again invites the audience to lean in, to then jump (there are so many jumps!) with explosive action, the audience gasping and twittering as the monsters prowl, purr and claw people apart.
Featuring: Dave Mitchell (director, Paranoid Dramatics), Luc Hayward (writer, sound, costume design), Raymond Hayward (set designer), Peter Lawford (creature designer, special effects artist), Amie Wells (crew costume design).
Cast of Play: Jason Hill (Captain Dallas), Lydia Hayward (Lieutenant Ripley), Jacqui Roe (Science Officer Ash), Susan Baird (Ash Stunt Double), Carolyn White (Lambert), John Elliot (Brett), Mike Rustici (Parker), Scott Douglas (Kane/Xenomorph) and Penny Thorne (Voice of Mother).
‘Anything can happen on the night.’
Every year around Christmas across Britain, amateur dramatics groups put on a pantomime to raise money for charity.
Dorset dramatics group, Paranoid Dramatics have previously put on a crowd pleasing show about Robin Hood. But this time director, Dave Mitchell wants to try something different. Something close to his heart and his family’s, who’s obsession with the film, Alien is shown with great pride.
This time, he wants, Alien on Stage.
The actors: local Dorset bus drivers.
Adam, manager at the bus depot says in an interview that he’s seen the movie Alien, but ‘can’t imagine how you convert that into a stage drama.’
And that just adds to the comedy of the show.
This is one of those feel good doco’s about everyday people doing something extraordinary while having a good laugh.
Everyone pitches in.
It’s great excuse for a catchup and gossip – eating together, drinking together (instead of learning their lines). And in the end that’s what makes the film such a joy to watch. To see the backstage shenanigans; to get to know the people.
There’s Karl, the stage manager: ‘the director is my dad.’
Dave the director is ex-army and admits, ‘I can be blunt.’
There’s Lydia his partner also part of the team as, Ripley.
And Granddad Ray as set designer.
All the work is from scratch with the script adaptation written by Luc Hayward who was told he’d never see his work on stage (unless he considered moving to L.A.).
Then there’s Jacqui (Ash on stage) – her drama teacher the only one who ever gave her a chance, who stood by her when her head teacher said she’d fail every exam at school. All Jacqui wants to do is act. Even if it’s for free.
All the cast and crew want to be there. They want to do the work.
But then only twenty people turn up to watch the show.
It’s all disappointment then shrugged off with a smile.
Then the incredible happens when film makers Danielle Kummer & Lucy Harvey make contact (ha, ha), wanting to make this documentary. To film the journey as the, Alien On Stage production gets a one night show in London. At the Leicester Square Theatre.
The nerves. The excitement.
The trying to learn the lines.
This is a cast that doesn’t take themselves too seriously. And that’s part of the charm.
Just like the film Alien, it’s like two worlds colliding (well, the folk from Dorset a welcome visit, not eaten alive, even though they might feel it’s a distinct possibility) as the amateur theatre group gets thrust into the spotlight of the elite theatre district of London.
The incongruent adds that extra layer of wry humour which gives the documentary, as described by the filmaker Lucy Harvey, a touch of magic.
Kummer and Harvey follow all those involved in the project, replicating that square green font on computer screen (keeping in mind that Alienesque vibe), as the days count down to the big show.
It’s a behind the scenes documentary made up of interviews, rehearsals and Alien Cam – footage shot from the perspective of the Alien / Xenomorph while up on stage.
But any animation or finesse made by the documentary crew is background to the team that is, Alien on Stage.
I smiled through the entire film, seeing the genuine excitement and joy and so much laughter as the cast and crew pulled together to put on the best show they possibly could.
It’s absolutely nerve-racking.
‘My legs don’t work,’ says Lydia, just before walking on stage.
‘I’m going for a cigarette,’ says director Dave.
This is a lighthearted good fun documentary that delivers. I’m still grinning.
