Review: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Radio Show ... Live!, York Opera House (From York Press)

Review: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Radio Show ... Live!, York Opera House

10:29am Saturday 7th July 2012 in Theatre

Given the boiling heat at York Opera House it’s a good job so many people turned up carrying towels just like the heroes in Dirk Magg’s The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Radio Show ... Live!

Based on the work of Douglas Adams, the performance on Thursday, featured the original radio cast, led by Simon Jones as Arthur Dent. However, the evening was so much more than a mock radio show, due to the superb live band and stunning visual effects.

VIP guest John Challis featured as the Voice Of The Book.

He delighted the audience by briefly reverting to his much-loved character from Only Fools and Horses, striding off stage declaring, “Marlene, get me my shotgun!”

The performance was accessible even to those unfamiliar with the original radio show, although not many of them appeared to be in attendance, as the theatre reverberated with laughter at even the most subtle joke.

Many an audience member was bundled up in their own dressing gowns, carrying various sized towels and really getting into the spirit of the event.

Unfortunately, the air conditioning in the Opera House appeared to be not working well, so many towels ended up mopping sweaty brows, incidentally not one of the uses of a towel suggested in the Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy.

Free water at the bar was provided, but no doubt the ice cream sales were astronomical.

The performance flew through the time, space and the main features of the radio show that had spanned two years. Hugely enjoyed by all, the evening will be available to download as a radio podcast.

Review by Claire Hogarth