Alien on Stage: An Unintentional Pantomime
Bus Drivers Blast Off: “Alien on Stage” Lands on Streaming this Christmas
Forget feel-good holiday fare – this year, embrace the hilariously offbeat story of a group of British bus drivers who dared to stage Ridley scott’s sci-fi classic, Alien.
The documentary Alien on Stage, now streaming on Apple TV+ and Prime Video, chronicles the unlikely journey of paranoid Dramatics, a ragtag amateur theater company from Dorset, England. Trading in their usual pantomime for something a little more extraterrestrial, they set out to recreate the iconic horror film with a shoestring budget and a whole lot of heart.Think cycling helmets as alien heads, fishing rods for chest-bursters, and an elderly audience more bemused than terrified.
“One of the joys of Alien on Stage is how it unintentionally mirrors the UK’s beloved Christmas tradition of pantomime,” says co-director Lucy Harvey. “You’ve got larger-than-life characters,unexpected comedy,a sense of community involvement and that playful mix of seriousness and silliness.”
The film, which premiered at FrightFest in London and SXSW in Texas, has garnered a cult following, winning seven awards and screening at over 60 film festivals worldwide.
Co-director Danielle Kummer recalls, “we where so convinced by the genius of what we saw [in Dorset], we knew everyone should see it.”
The documentary captures the infectious enthusiasm of the cast and crew, who, despite their amateur status, poured their passion into this aspiring project.
“Like them, we had never attempted to do something on this scale before and like them we just said yes,” Kummer adds. “Let’s do it.”
Their leap of faith paid off. The group’s London performance at the 430-seat Leicester Square theatre sold out, with the audience roaring with laughter and applause at key moments.
Jacqui Roe,who played the iconic role of Ash,says,”I’m so excited about the doc being available in the UK. finaly able to enjoy with family and friends. I am incredibly proud of my involvement and so grateful to everyone that made it happen.”
This Christmas, ditch the predictable holiday fare and blast off with Alien on Stage. It’s a heartwarming tale of community, creativity, and the sheer joy of putting on a show, no matter how unconventional.
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