Shakespeare Aliens: There’s An Alien In My Shakespearean Soup ~ Adelaide Fringe 2023 Review

[Theatre & Physical Theatre/Comedy ~ SA PREMIERE ~ VIC] Main Theatrte at Goodwood Theatre and Studios, Tue 28 Feb, 2023 Shakespeare is already timeless, and now launched into the future he can claim time-travel as well to his list of credits. It’s great to see such a mix of ages in the audience, with so many young people being attracted to this fusion of Shakespeare and science fiction. We know that some find it hard to relate to a four-hundred year dead white male’s long-winded and opaque language. So, it’s also great to see this ensemble daring to go where none have gone before. Just like Shakespeare keeps on keeping on, the sequels and spin-offs to the classic Alien movie are still rolling out, such is its appeal. This is a match made in, well, space. Shakespeare himself could have worked on this script, given his love of the universe that was newly opened to him in his lifetime. All the tropes of the original are executed deftly with expert direction. The dramatic action proceeds at a cracking pace, with suspenseful battle scenes recurring between this band of brave hearts and the alien creatures in their various forms. Along with iconic phrases from the film, Shakespeare quotes are woven through the text to bring continuous chuckles of recognition from the audience. Thus, the crew’s language is laced with Bard-speak, and hey, who can know how they will talk in the next century? Shakespeare is famous not just for his poems and plays, but also because he delved into the darkest depths of the human consciousness through his characters like none before him bar the Greeks. And like him, this show does not shy away from exploring our fascination with, and fear of the primal elements of our existence, birth, life and death. We are born with only two fears for survival, and at last count there’s around five hundred and fifty phobias – plenty to play with here! As Film critic Roger Ebert said: "The 1979 Alien is a much more cerebral movie.., with the characters (and the audience) genuinely engaged in curiosity about this weirdest of lifeforms." The humour is handled well with precise placement, to avoid straying into farce or silliness. Likewise, the horror scenes are never gratuitous. The props and costumes are crafted with quality and well manipulated. Shakespeare Aliens is a ripping yarn placing the female lead front and centre from the get-go, rather than waiting for her to emerge as the heroine. This is unapologetically a celebration of the feminist role as leader. While Ripley still faces opposition from various male crew members, she firmly asserts her authority. The final ‘mano-mano’ fight – or in this case, female to monster queen – is a ripsnorter. Presented by: Cassandra Hart and Rob Lloyd 4 stars David Cronin Shakespeare Aliens continues at Main Theatre at Goodwood Theatre and Studios from 7.30pm until Sun 5 Mar. Book at FringeTIX and adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets.  #TheClothesline #ADLfringe