The Incredibly Scary Object, Brockley Jack Studio Review

The Incredibly Scary Object at Brockley Jack Studio. Photo by Sosij Productions.

Written by Penny for Theatre and Tonic.

Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review. All opinions are our own.

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From Star Trek to The Martian to the Alien franchise, we LOVE a good drama about space! This new play from Joe Edgar sees two space agencies forced to collaborate both together and with a science fiction writer to come up with a public explanation as to why a probe has gone silent on its way to a new interstellar object. It’s a great premise that promises to give a “sharp, witty and thought-provoking look at the relationship between storytelling and scientific thinking”.

Edgar’s script certainly lives up to the claim. From the very start, when two NASA scientists are bickering over a gingerbread man, it is very funny. It also strikes a very good balance between science and storytelling. There’s no padding in the script, and some excellent call backs. At its heart is a question that would strike fear into the heart of any fact-driven scientist: How do you tell the world that you have no idea what is going on?

The plot begs many questions: Why can’t the public be given the bare facts? Who gets to decide the narrative? Who determines the threat level? It also cleverly demonstrates that words can take on different meanings depending on who the speaker is, or the organisation they represent. This is what has led NASA comms guru Susie, played with a convincing veneer of unflappability by April Storm Perry, to bring popular sci-fi writer Jake, played by Eddie Mann with almost childlike glee, to help shape the right line for the public.

The six characters are well drawn and embrace their national stereotypes – including a brash American, sarcastic Brit, laid-back Aussie and uptight German - to great comedic effect.  The cast is strong and the actors bounce off each other well. There’s no weak link but I particularly enjoyed writer Joe Edgar’s performance as Vince, the Brit on the NASA team, making the most of some of the play’s best one liners.

The cast is completed by Sydney Crocker (Micky), Xavier Starr (Jan) and Alex Crook (Matt) – all giving us well rounded and believable characters that command the audience’s attention when they take centre stage. 

Director Jessy Roberts has given the play a fast paced, natural (almost filmic) delivery, which works well in such a small space. A lot was packed into the 95 minutes running time – if the delivery was slowed down slightly, and the laughs were given some more air, it could easily be a two act play without the story suffering. 

The action is supported by good visuals and some great original music from Stanley Welch. The sound quality of the “off-screen” journalists was a little muffled and while this may have been intentional to get that authentic “Zoom Call” frustration, it was a bit distracting.

The play’s ending is very well written and a satisfying conclusion, although the whole piece is more of a journey than a destination. Admittedly people with a knowledge of and interest in science will probably get more out of the play, it is full of humanity that will appeal to and engage anybody who sees it. It’s a very strong offering from new theatre company Sosij Productions, and I look forward to seeing what they do next.

The Incredibly Scary Object is at the Brockley Jack Studio until 31st August. Find out more and book tickets here.

★ ★ ★ ★