New Wolsey Theatre: Hilarious new play, The Time Machine, begins

Written by Steven Canny and John Nicholson, the play is an absurdist adaptation on the post-apocalyptic sci-fi novel by HG Wells.

The fourth wall is broken before the curtain has barely gone up, with the actors speaking directly to members of the audience from the get go.

Fans of science fiction will thoroughly enjoy this play, which brings to life Wells’ ideas of time travel, the opportunities it opens up and the impossibility of changing events already set in stone.

The play is bursting with energy, and side-splittingly funny. Credit: Manuel Harlan (Image: Manuel Harlan)

The role of the Time Traveller is played by Dave Hearn, best known for his work in The Play That Goes Wrong. Credit: Manuel Harlan (Image: Manuel Harlan)

The role of the Time Traveller is played by Dave Hearn, best known for his work in The Play That Goes Wrong, and his signature style of comedy had the audience laughing until he took his final bow.

This was a relatively small cast, with the two remaining characters played by Amy Revelle and Michael Dylan.

However, this perfectly suited the intimate setting of the New Wolsey, and audience members were encouraged to join in, and even take to the stage themselves. One lucky audience member was even offered a dinner date of pizza and wine (although being a coeliac, she had to decline).

The play even features a Cher number, brilliantly sun by Amy Revelle. Manuel Harlan (Image: Manuel Harlan)

Scenes from the original novel, written in 1895, are juxtaposed with nods to popular culture. Credit: Manuel Harlan (Image: Manuel Harlan)

• READ MORE REVIEWS - 'The Commitments brings energy and fun to Ipswich Regent with great music'

Hilarious references to popular culture are in abundance, with the complexities of time helpfully explained by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at one point. However, fans of Wells original novel will be delighted to see that the familiar characters of Filby and the Time Traveller remain.

It seems incredible just how much the cast is able to squeeze into just two hours, with an interval included.

Despite this, time is still found for a Cher song, and a hip hop dance number – truly, this bizarre and side-splittingly funny new play has something for everyone.

The Time Machine will be running at the New Wolsey Theatre until Saturday, March 4.

For more theatre reviews by the Ipswich Star, visit: www.ipswichstar.co.uk/topics/theatre