You might recall the story a year or so ago about a US high school putting on a stage production of Ridley Scott’s Alien. Pretty audacious, eh? How about the amateur dramatics society from Dorset who did the same with a panto budget? Now that’s ballsy! Alien on Stage is the story of that troupe – formed of mainly bus workers – who had the guts to adapt the film, making do with flimsy props and store-bought space suits. The result took them to the West End.
Putting the stage show together was indeed a brave endeavour; the genius, though, was to have the process documented on film. This documentary, directed by Lucy Harvey and Danielle Kummer, follows the rehearsals of the show, the disappointment of the turnout for their hometown village hall production, the shock of being offered a chance to play at the Leicester Square theatre, and the subsequent euphoria brilliantly. It’s a little rough around the edges, just as the stage play is, but in this case, it just adds to the charm.
The enthusiasm – and anxiety – of all involved is laid bare and is completely infectious. While some films have taken us backstage to the highly-strung am-dram world, this is the real deal and just as funny and heart-warming. We defy anyone not to have a smile on their face by the time the curtain drops on the London production.
