The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Radio Show Live

The Empire, Liverpool
18th June 2012

Reviewed by Sebastian Gahan

There have been many incarnations of the Late Douglas Adams’ Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, each as confusing, amusing and different as the next. The latest incarnation is The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Radio Show Live, currently on tour around the UK. When it hit The Empire recently I was party to it and enjoyed it immensely despite not quite knowing what to expect.

In the event, I left my idea slate blank as I sat down to witness a show that was excellent in every way. The shows director Dirk Maggs, responsible for later runs of the Radio Show, has ensured the experience remains as unique as the concept itself. There is humour both overt and subtle, lighting effects that create the atmosphere as much as the live band who open the show the show with an amped up version of the familiar theme tune and above all the original cast, all still at the top of their game as they dive on and off the stage frequently, get man handled by Vogons on a regular basis and recreate those iconic sequences that give the show it’s very evident fan base.

Anyone worrying for the shows legacy should have heeded the big bright letters on the front of The Book itself ‘Don’t Panic!’ for this was a show true to the heart of Adams’ vision and yet thoroughly up to step with , as one of the cast put it, whenever now is. Needless to say if you love any of the various incarnations of The Guide, save perhaps for the disappointing feature film, you’ll be saying ‘goodbye and thanks for all the laughs as you leave the doors following this excellent show.

Now excuse me while I make a Pan Galactic Gargleblaster.

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