Original Theatre are regular producers of regionally touring shows and their latest production is a new adaptation of H.G Wells’ classic novel ‘The Time Machine’. Although, unlike the theatre company’s name suggests, if you’re expecting anything like the original you’ll be disappointed.

Writers Steven Canny and John Nicholson have given the tale a modern twist with three multi-rolling actors taking on a play-within-a-play style of performance. They’ve literally placed the original narrative into a time machine and filled the script with up to date references to take you on a crazy ride through science and comedy.

A slightly unique event at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford on Thursday night meant an understudy played one of the roles script-in-hand but credit to (the sadly uncredited) ‘Noah’ for putting on a brave and inspiring performance. It’s a ‘Play That Goes Wrong’ meets ‘39 Steps’ kind of production and, when the announcement is made one of the cast members are ill, the trouble is you’re never quite sure whether it’s real or not. Naturally, it did change the flow of the performance and some of the gags were lost but the show must go on and the troupes carried on valiantly.

The actors use their own names throughout – a personal touch which makes it feel like you’re seeing an insight into their normal lives. George Kemp and Michael Dylan completed the cast and gave slick, energetic showings from start to finish. Kemp is the gel that holds the whole piece together, often bringing a solid head to a purposefully calamitous presentation. A special mention to his strong audience participation skills and wonderful ad-libs. Dylan brings a lot of the comedy to the show with a warm charisma that has him charming you from the very start.

Orla O’Loughlin’s direction is fast-paced and polished although Act 1 takes some time to really get going. Explanations of paradoxes showing how time travel would and wouldn’t work feel slightly confusing and random segments of William & Harry, The Muppets and a jaded, ripped cardboard cutout of Professor Brian Cox give the production a low budget look and feel shoehorned to please the crowd, even if they crowd weren’t so sure.

The second half, however, really starts to fly and a fabulous opening sequence taking us back in time to the beginning of Act 1 is clever and well thought out. Audience members are, sometimes unwillingly, invited on to the stage and the pace picks up all the way through to a smart finale. A shame again that silly sections of ‘dance offs’ with rather cringing choreography don’t quite get the reaction they were clearly hoping for.

Fred Meller’s set design is simple yet effective and Colin Grenfell’s lighting aids the production perfectly. It’s not just a show for adults either – apart from the odd swear word, a large school party in attendance were very entertained. I just wish I had access to Wells’ time machine to get me through Act 1 for the fun to really begin…

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