Somewhere between Earth and an alien planet, ALONE at Assembly George Square (The Box) questions what lengths humans might go to save their dying planet, and what hubris might stop us.
The show stars Courtney Bassett as the David Bowie-loving, Smiths-hating pilot Jessica Holland, and Anthea Freya Hill as the Smiths-loving, unusually Christian Dr Sarah Taylor. The two have been in a small spaceship rocketing between worlds for nearly five years, during which time Holland has eaten all the tomato sauce, Taylor has resisted discussing her faith, and they have both been very focused on completing their mission for an alien bacteria capable of rapidly metabolising carbon dioxide; this creature might be able to de-carbonise Earth’s atmosphere and make it breathable again.
Luke Thornborough’s tight, dramatic script features feminist rants, theological speculation, great music references, and a clear understanding of how minor negligence can unravel a plan. Having successfully retrieved several samples, which Taylor analyses on the return voyage, the pair have become more relaxed on their homeward journey, which is their first tragic mistake. The ship is continually bombarded by debris which they do not pick up on sensor readings, and the two astronauts believe this lack of action is laziness on the part of mission control, which is their second tragic mistake.
Both characters in ALONE are tragically flawed in the Ancient Greek Theatre sense of tragically flawed. Dr Taylor’s belief in God becomes a pedestal for her self-righteousness and megalomania, while Pilot Holland’s casual karaoke and befriending of Taylor leads to negligence in managing the ship’s functions. Also like Ancient Greek Theatre, this is a tragedy ending in destruction, though Holland bravely acts to save some of the bacteria research.
Performed in The Box, a shipping container turned black box stage, the set, costumes, lights, and sound follow small theatre traditions, being quite detailed while evoking the utilitarian requirements of living for multiple years in deep space. There are no digital effects or flashy fight choreography (though there are tense onstage scraps), with the engrossing script and powerful performances carrying the science fiction story.
Fans of science fiction, theatre fans, and anyone looking to hold their breath for an hour should catch ALONE‘s last few days at Assembly George Square, The Box.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
