War of the Worlds ITD Production Photo (1). Actors L-R Amy Dunn, Morgan Bailey, Gareth Cassidy and Bonnie Baddoo. Photo Credit Ed Waring
A Guest Review by Birgit Bennett.
I was wondering how ‘Imitating the Dog ‘ theatre company would stage such an epic story as War of the Worlds, and I was amazed by the solutions they found.
The story is carried by four actors, three of whom double up as the camera crew. The imagination, technical finesse and ingenuity that created this production are second to none. I have never seen anything like it. The stage is black with three screens, two acting as backgrounds and the third (high above the stage) showing what is being filmed at the moment. You see a movie and its production at the same time.
War of the Worlds ITD Production Photo (3). Actors L-R Morgan Bailey, Amy Dunn, Gareth Cassidy and Bonnie Baddoo. Photo Credit Ed Waring
Gareth Cassidy portrays the main character, Will Travers, perfectly. His facial expressions, portraying Will’s changing state of mind, take the audience on a journey into his psyche. Amy Dunn is very believable as his wife, Evie, and Bonnie Baddoo and Morgan Bailey are great in several different roles as the people Will appears to encounter.
All four actors are always on the move, three of them constantly filming the others, props and pre-recorded sequences, creating different backgrounds. The timing of the actors, the use of simple props, and the camera switch-overs are brilliant, creating a fully immersive experience.
War of the Worlds ITD Production Photo (2). Actors L-R Morgan Bailey, Bonnie Baddoo, Amy Dunn and Gareth Cassidy. Photo Credit Ed Waring.
We sat quite close to the stage initially, but moved further back after the interval and found that this is a play where it is actually better to sit further back to get the full impact of the screen above the stage.
This is not an easy play to watch. The story is harrowing and spookily relevant, even almost 140 years after the original story was written. The production leaves the audience stunned and pensive; the applause was dimmed as everyone was lost in their own interpretation of what they just witnessed.
War of the Worlds ITD Production Photo (2). Actors L-R Morgan Bailey, Bonnie Baddoo, Amy Dunn and Gareth Cassidy. Photo Credit Ed Waring.
The play is superbly acted, and the production, the use of the set, props, lights, backgrounds and technology is amazing. It is an experience of a different kind. Almost like a movie within a play. Open to interpretation yet weirdly conclusive. The finale and arc of the story are surprising, brilliant and relevant.
War of the Worlds is a thought-provoking production that sets high standards for any future plays that would dare to use similar technologies.
War of the Worlds is at the New Wolsey theatre until Saturday 14th March – check out their website for details and to book tickets.
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