“All this happened, more or less.”

I’ll be the first to admit Science Fiction isn’t my favourite genre, but Slaughterhouse-Five has always intrigued me, especially as it is yet another book that was banned… OK so I may not have got around to reading it just yet, but now that I’ve seen the super smart So It Goes production, it may finally be time.

The very nature of their company’s name makes it extremely fitting that they have adapted and performed Slaughterhouse-Five. With excellent use of video, sound and storytelling, there’s no denying that this is a brilliant production. It is a little confusing at first, as there’s a lot of information being thrown around; that said, the audience are instantly told the basic plot so even if you haven’t read the book, it should all be clear.

Billy Pilgrim has become ‘unstuck’ in time, after being abducted by aliens and moving back and forth between different times in his life. We see his marriage, time as a PoW and struggles with PTSD, as well as his time as a human exhibit in a zoo on the planet Tralfamadore. Fact and fiction blend together across the years, with the banal moments just as key as the horrific.

Despite the heavy subject matter, Eric Simonson’s adaptation manages to inject elements of humour through the way the cast deliver lines, as well as some of the video choices (for example, when hands are seen moving images). This keeps the production from being too bleak and makes it more human. Although it’s possible that reading the book would clarify certain elements of the piece, the story is clear and flows well.

The pacing is spot on, moving swiftly from scene to scene as the cast (Patrick McAndrew, Sofia Engstrand, Ethan Reid and Alex Crook) take on numerous roles, flipping between characters (and genders) seamlessly with a change of accent, grabbing a small costume or prop. It’s simple but effective, especially considering the limited space, but everything is enhanced through director Douglas Baker’s video animations to develop the story. This is particularly helpful when it comes to dates and locations to ensure the audience is instantly grounded in the right time of Billy’s life and understands his search for meaning after everything he's experienced.

While the group’s interpretation does not dwell on making the story disturbing or poignant, it is thought-provoking, as it explores how people react to their experiences in the aftermath of war. Mesmerising, bizarre and provocative, this production cements Slaughterhouse-Five as a true classic.

Slaughterhouse-Five plays at the Southwark Playhouse until 4 July 2026.

★★★★

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