Angie Johnson finds delight in The Thing That Came From Over There

Following in the footsteps of their hit shows What The Dickens and I’m An Aristocrat Get Me Out of Here, Gonzo Moose Company’s premiere of their new show The Thing That Came From Over There at the Pegasus Theatre, Oxford, did not disappoint.

Redolent of the ‘horror/sci-fi’ movies of the 1950s, it tells the story of the ill-fated Captain Cranston’s attempt to beat Scott and Amundsen to the South Pole. Unfortunately he and his team have landed on the wrong side of Antarctica – and that’s just the start of their troubles.

Written and devised collaboratively by the whole company, it’s an exciting rollercoaster of a tale, told with wit, charm, and hilarity.

The audience were laughing and whooping with delight as plenty of low-tech theatre crafts were employed to tell this epic story.

There are many truly magical moments – not the least of which is the final reveal of the monster.

A cast of three played an impressive 15 roles between them. Talented improviser and comic actor Mark Dawson played the hero, George Cranston BA, with a mixture of charm and eccentricity that was both rib-tickling and rather moving. Ben Whitehead also shone, particularly as the naïve Darrill, pining for his girlfriend back home, and Doc – the medic/playboy of the expedition. Alys Torrance was splendid as Wendy (aka ‘Nipper’), who has disguised herself as a boy so that she can join the mission. Other roles were accomplished precisely with a quick change of hat or coat.

Teamwork and astute direction were clearly essential ingredients. Director Abigail Anderson has deftly woven together a complex production into a high-energy show which never faltered or flagged.

Designers Mandy Dike and Ben Rigby have created a perfect mis-en-scene with terrific lighting from Damian Robertson and Matt Eaton’s clever sound design.

This team of behind the scenes masterminds brought to vivid life everything from meteor crashes and parasitic space worms to exploding fungus pustules. Though low-tech it is very cleverly done – and because of that it is completely endearing. 5/5

* See it at The Mill, Banbury on April 1.