South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival – In space, no one can hear you scream. Thankfully, when a determined group of bus drivers from Dorset decide to put on Alien as their annual pantomime, they get more than their fair share of screams, cheers, laughter, and applause… after a few tries, a big move to the big city, and lots and lots of canned air and fake blood.

A charming and love-laden documentary about the gestation and chest-bursting birth of a stage pantomime version of Alien, Alien on Stage sheds a cheerful light on one of the greatest horror films of all time. When the Dorset Bus Drivers amateur dramatics group took on Alien, the last thing they expected was for their little independent theatre experiment to end up selling out a show on the West End. A year was spent creating the perfect tribute to the cult classic film – blood, sweat, tears, and plenty of foam all come together to create a wobbly, wonky, wonderful homage to the space drama we all know and love.

Filmmakers Danielle Kummer and Lucy Harvey had their interest piqued when they heard about the Dorset Bus Drivers’ foray into fine cinema, and travelled from London to Wimborne, Dorset to see the woefully under attended original first performance. Thanks to their enthusiasm and a lot of well placed faith, the show makes its way to London’s West End – and Kummer and Harvey follow along, documenting every step along the way. Fully, faithfully capturing the magic of theatre, from the highs of nailing that iffy stage transition to the lows of feeling like they’ll never get it right, Alien on Stage is a celebration of all things theatrical, all things nerdy, and all things wonderfully, wildly, and unapologetically weird.

It is nearly impossible not to fall in love with this ragtag, Little Rascals-esque group of amateur dramatists, who pour their hearts and souls into breathing life into a science fiction great. From the multi-generational family who suggested they take on the project, to the bus driver who couldn’t care less about pantomime, as he’s studying for his law degree – every player on this stage is sweetly begging you to join them on an adventure through space, as their bus becomes the Nostromo for a spectacular sold-out one night engagement.

Professionalism may not be the number one personality trait of the Dorset group, but they make up for it with heart. Their passion is palpable, even as they stumble over wordy dialogue and struggle to make the luck-driven special effects work. Enthusiasm is the name of the game in Alien on Stage – and even if you aren’t a hardcore Alien fan, and a theatre geek like me, you’ll find the charm and joy simply contagious. 

Alien on Stage reviewed as part of our South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival coverage.

8 out of 10 Lucky Stars