In Space…
★★★★☆ Hilariously ambitious
Greenside @ Infirmary Street (venue 235): Fri 2 – Sat 17 Aug 2019
Review by Sarah Moyes
Napier University Drama Society take us into space in this sci-fi comedy musical, their first original Fringe production at Greenside venues.
After four years of parodies and spin-off shows, NUDS is back with a new show directed by Stuart Tweedie. In Space… follows the young passengers of the StarShip Unsinkable II who wake up early in the middle of space while on a mission to inhabit a new planet, while the adults on the ship remain in a deep sleep.
A scene from In Space… Pic: NUDS
The group of young passengers haven’t even been awake for twenty minutes before someone gets accidentally killed and everyone is divided into two very different camps. Half decide to follow harsh and unlikable dictator Donna (Louise Piatkowski), while the rest of the group follow the chaotic and mad Bastard (Finlay MacRae) and become cannibals of the ship in the process.
The show follows the comedy of both groups trying to seize control of the ship with neither leader too bothered by the idea of killing people while they do it. All while still wearing their space pyjamas and dressing gowns.
Patrick (Calum Rosie) and Steve (Kyle McFarlane) are a great pairing as outsiders of the groups who try and work out a way to overthrow the leaders and save the day. Both have impeccable comic timing and use physical comedy to their advantage to emphasis their characters, gaining lots of laughs in the process.
dim and loveable
The show also explores a sweet relationship between Jenny (Emily Doran) and Brian (Struan Howlieson), who are both equally as dim and loveable as each other as they realise they computer has paired them up to procreate on the new planet.
A scene from In Space… Pic: NUDS
It wouldn’t be a musical without some catchy songs, and Musical Director Finlay MacRae has managed to come up some fun and entertaining songs to fill the show. The highlight of which is a song about cannibalism which sees Bastard lead his cannibal tribe through a lively dance routine (choreographed by Melissa Ross) with poor Steve hilariously joining in even though he is tied to a chair and about to be being eaten alive.
Napier University Drama Society have shown lots of promise over the years, and it’s great to see them branching out to a new concept. While a few jokes fall a bit flat, this local theatre group have shown huge potential for future Fringe shows.
So, will Bastard manage to overthrow the Donna and become leader? Or will the crew find an even bigger problem awaits? You’ll have to find out when you take your own trip on the StarShip Unsinkable II in this clever, hilarious and original show.
Running time: 55 minutes (no interval)
Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 6 Infirmary Street, EH1 1LT (venue 235)
Friday 2 – Saturday 17 August 2019
Daily, not Sun 11: 6.25pm.
Tickets and details: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/in-space
Twitter: @NapierNUDS
Facebook: @napierNUDS
The cast of In Space…. Pic: NUDS
ENDS
