The theatre now has a smarter entrance hall, a proper Bio Box, an improved lighting grid, cushioned bench seats, along with thickly insulated walls between the theatre and the rehearsal space next door.

The play is 65-minutes with no intermission. There are three performances, Friday 21^st August and Saturday 22^nd at 7.30 pm, with an extra matinee fitted in at 3.00 pm on the Saturday due to sell out evening performances. This leaves one wondering – Why are there so few Science Fiction plays?

 The scene (set design – John King) is a dimly lit laboratory, with a thermal awakener unit leading to the cryogenic area. There are computer screens controlling the authentic airlock doors (operator John Bailey). At the rear of the laboratory is the control centre, comprising a massive screen with never-ending computer jargon flowing and various technical boxes glowing. A hospital bed is at the side of the room.

Nick Morant operated John King, Tim Brain and Katie Southwell’s realistic and creepy lighting design. The whirring door noise was straight from space, super work by Ryan Partridge.

       The Esana Inc. cryonics facility is available to the public for hire. If for some reason you wish to be stored at icy temperatures until a future date, then for a fee this company will look after you. Seven very different people, who had signed up, are now being urgently awoken.

     First out of the chamber is James (Dean Lovatt), who has been in storage until a cure is found for his ‘delicate condition’. He checks the computer screen information, hoping to find the date, or even the decade! The airlock door buzzes and angry Hedy (Anna Weir) emerges, quickly followed by conman Matt (Aaron Jay) who looks very sick. Matt explains how he had arrived 10 years after Hedy had expected to depart – why had not she been woken up?

     Disabled Paula (Nicola Brescianini) and pregnant Tara (Bethsaida Tapsall) are both looking for some special medical treatment. The Transfer door buzzes and a happy, elderly man emerges, this is John (Ron Arthurs), who believes every day should be joyous. Seconds later Dr. Ettinger (Jason Dohle), the controller of the Unit, emerges. At last, there might be some good answers to the pandemonium and upset.

Writer / director Stephen Platt has skilfully created seven believable characters for his unusual story. So rare is this genre for the stage, that when I was trying to think of a play to compare it with, I was at a loss. In the last decade, I think this production has a unique style. The characters are well considered, filled with traits and attitudes that helped keep the story threads twisting. The storyline included all of the important elements, suspense, black comedy, straight slapstick, mild violence, tragedy and of course, love. The dialogue was a little thin near the beginning, but by the end, the interaction was crisp and the words matched the personalities well.

The costumes were simple grey, medical pathology suits with the company logo. John had a wild waistcoat (wardrobe – Ellin Sears, Denise Smith, Dean Lovatt). All of the inpatients had blue-flashing earpiece monitors – nice touch. Catherine Dunn dexterously created the hair and makeup.

Sci-Fi is not normally my favourite style, but I really enjoyed this play. It was so much more than being blinded by weird science; the storyline was solid, with a clever, unexpected ending.

To a nice bloke and a name to remember, good luck for the future Stephen B. Platt.

The fun-filled, two-hour variety performances, i.e. a total of four hours of quality entertainment, were seen on the 11^th and 12^th, and the 18^th and 19^th September.

The master of ceremonies enters in a loud colourful suit (Stephen Platt), explaining that his father had told him to be sure to be in the ‘Monet’, hence his flowery outfit. Seeing Stephen dressed like a set of curtains, I suspect his father actually told him ‘to pull himself together’. With a wonderful repartee, each of the acts was introduced with his hilarious, dry comments.

 Act One

‘Prisoner or Hostages’ written by Stephen B. Platt.

A dark comedy, where a male and female prisoner pedantically argue with their guard, as to whether they are in fact ‘prisoners’ or ‘hostages’.

Starring Leigh Fitzpatrick, Harriet Fettis, Launcelot Ronzan.

A very well written piece with an unusual and unique storyline. Very good performances.

 ‘Crazy little thing called love’ performed and choreographed by Xarna Rappold.

A beautifully choreographed, complex contemporary dance sequence. Stunning.

 ‘Since you’ve been gone, I’ve been alone’ by Bill Bailey

Bob Morshidi doing what he does best – a crazy comedy routine.

 ‘Light my Candle’ from the musical RENT

An excellent rendition of a well-known number by Joshua Towns and Cat Perez.

 ‘Serial Dater’ written by Gabriel Davis

Ellin Sears as an old lady.

 ‘Mercy!’ by Geordie Crawley

More madcap comedy from Mike Casas, Bob Morshidi and Corina Brown.

 

Act Two

‘Aurora’ choreography by Therese Cruise.

Misty Falls showed how Burlesque can bring out the very best in all women. A treat for the eyes – male and female.

 ‘Therapy’ from Tick Tick Boom.

Was performed by Cat Perez and Joshua Towns. Quality voices blending together perfectly.

 ‘Her First’ by the Frantics.

Stephen B. Platt, Mike Casas, Bob Morshidi, Leigh Fitzpatrick

 ‘Faust Monologue’ by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

The only serious act in the show. A very powerful monologue delivered emotionally by Karen Hansord. Superb.

 ‘The World War Twosical’ by Stephen B. Platt

An uproarious short play about a film director trying to get funding for his latest ambitious project. He has to prove his case to the mercenary producer at each stage of the movie. VERY funny, with a wonderful cast that just jumped in and let themselves go! With impressive portrayals of the main country leaders of the war, including Churchill and Hitler, every leader was there. This could be developed into a full-length play. Punchy, hilarious and visually bizarre. Starring the great team of Bob Morshidi, Leigh Fitzpatrick, Ellin Sears, Launcelot Ronzan, Jenia Gladziejewski, Stephen B. Platt, Mike Casas, Corina Brown, Xarna Rappold, Harriet Fettis, Joshua Towns and Cat Perez.

Lighting was by John Bailey, with Jess Serio on sound. The front of house were to be congratulated on dressing especially for the occasion, they were Tess Thompson, Andrew Kocsis, Tiffany Banner and Adam Dean.

This could have been a half-hearted in-house romp, but instead there was a huge amount of quality scriptwriting, rehearsal and production skills poured into this ‘throw away’ show. MAGNIFICENT, a fun night.