There is something particularly exciting about seeing a production that dares to take on a genre not often explored on stage. The Void, by Thunder Road Theatre in association with Watford Palace Theatre, is an ambitious, atmospheric and occasionally genuinely terrifying piece of science-fiction horror that demonstrates just how much can be achieved through theatrical imagination.
Set in 2160, when Earth has been destroyed and humanity is controlled by corporations, we follow space ranger Flint as he investigates a mysterious distress signal from an apparently abandoned spacecraft. What follows is a journey into the unknown, where unsettling discoveries, fractured memories and an increasingly sinister presence combine to create a mounting sense of dread. Just who, or what, is lurking aboard the Odyssey becomes a question that keeps us guessing.
The set design by Caitlin Mawhinney is impressive. The decaying spacecraft, with its exposed machinery and industrial aesthetic, creates an immediate sense of claustrophobia. Clever use of projections and a central screen allows us to glimpse what is happening beyond the immediate confines of the stage, while the lighting and sound design work beautifully together to build tension. There are some genuinely ingenious illusions, moments of theatrical magic that leave you wondering how on earth they were achieved, and some wonderfully effective jump scares. I particularly enjoyed how the production makes use of traditional stagecraft alongside its more cinematic elements.
Alex Moran as Flint and Ryan Simons as Blair carry much of the production between them, with Olwen May’s voice as the AI Nova adding another unsettling dimension. There is a strong sense of mystery surrounding both central characters, although at times I would have welcomed a little more emotional connection and vulnerability. The performances occasionally veer towards the overly dramatic, but there is no denying the commitment involved in bringing this strange and unsettling world to life.
The production’s greatest strength is undoubtedly its technical ambition. There are moments when the atmosphere is so convincing that you almost forget you are sitting in a theatre. However, I did feel that the story occasionally becomes a little too complicated for its own good. There are so many twists, revelations and layers of backstory that some of the mystery becomes confusing rather than compelling. I would have liked a little more time to connect with the characters and for some of the ideas, particularly around artificial intelligence and corporate control, to have been explored in greater depth.
Nevertheless, The Void is a fascinating theatrical experience. It is bold, imaginative and refreshingly different, with some extraordinary visual effects and a genuine commitment to creating horror for a live audience. It may not get everything right, but its ambition and creativity are admirable.
A production that reminds us that theatre can take us to the furthest reaches of the universe, and that sometimes the most frightening things are those we cannot quite see.
3.5 stars
