Theatre Review: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy - Immersive Experience ★★★⯪☆

You've read the books, listened to the original radio performances, re-read the books, worn the t-shirt - and now it is time to be part of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy.

*Cue the music from Flight of the Sorcerer*

This is a 90-ish minute immersive experience. As well as a full cast of actors and a puppet android, there are ✨celebrity✨ voice cameos.

And songs! So many songs!

Pre Show

I'm always interested in how shows build excitement before a performance. We were encouraged to arrive early to stash our coats (a very reasonable £1 each) and soak up the atmosphere.

It mostly works! We're deposited into the pub with lots of texture. As well as multiple screens displaying a variety on in-jokes, the actors hobnob with the guests. Nifty!

Show

From a technology perspective, the show is astonishingly good. Laser display boards mixed with puppets, dry ice, surround sound, and a hundred little decorations to notice. The actors are witty and talented improvisers. They did well with the matinée audience who needed a little warming up. There's a bar halfway through the experience where you can buy a (typically overpriced) branded beer - but I'd recommend having a warm up Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster in the bar before the show.

Wandering around the Vogon ship is a sonic and visual delight. The chaos of running between the sets feels utterly on-brand for H2G2. The sets are lush and, as mentioned, the technology integrates well with the story.

So, about the story.

There is no continuity in this franchise. Canon is noticeable by its absence and you should throw most of your preconceptions of plot out of the window. This isn't a cosy retread of the books you loved, nor is it a something entirely new. Essentially it is a series of sketches ripped and remixed from various versions. It kind of felt like there was a missing segment in the show - characters disappeared (to go perform for the next set of participants) and then reappeared.

If you have even a passing familiarity with H2G2 (in any of its forms) then I think you'll enjoy it. If not, I think it is a little scattershot. 90 minutes isn't enough to build up much of the complexity or tension in the drama. That said, it is rather jolly fun and surprisingly tender.

Post Show

It isn't quite "exit through the gift shop" but not far off. I remember how the end of the Alien experience in the Trocadero had audience members running out into a public area - here it's a gentle stroll into the bar.

This is a worthy addition to the many different adaptations of Douglas Adams' opus.

The experience runs until the 15th of February at the Riverside Studios. Tickets start at, of course, £42.