It’s the ideal micro-arena for a fun packed Christmas Show which never disappoints, year after year.
An impossibly hard-working cast of five-and-a-half multi-talented actors (counting the dog) provide a multitude of characters, locations and situations in a tiny space, using masses of ingenuity and props which would make Heath-Robinson applaud vigorously. Indeed, the first thing I do on arrival is count the number of mysterious black strings running overhead from stage to control box – 13 this year – an indication of the many surprises to be flown in, dropped on actors, or wiggled by remote control.  | | Christine Holman as Sally |
The only danger in such a successful annual formula, is of predictability. But Julian Harries has mildly re-invented the product this year. There are fewer dreadful but hilarious puns, and less of a knockabout panto feel. Instead, a clearer storyline, some more adult gags, and a huge amount of very clever and equally funny comic mime, accompanied by vocal sound effects (for “real” noises) and beautifully timed recorded effects (for “weird” happenings”). In conversation with Julian after the show he described it as “more of a straight spoof”, and I did think it a more intelligent script than last year. The audience was predominantly adult with a few teenagers – all loved every minute, so the re-invention clearly works, although there were one or two gags so clever that they passed almost unnoticed. Harries himself is regrettably not on the Ipswich stage this year, he’s doing a spot of acting at somewhere called “The National”. But his cast have all the required gusto and enthusiasm for the plethora of parts they fill, and musical talent abounds – I counted at least nine different instruments played – making Pat Whymark’s many-styled songs all the brighter. Singable, clapalong-able, with meaningful and clever lyrics, most were opportunities for some simple but energetic dance routines to boot. I enjoyed the music much more this year, and the devices by which audience participation was kicked off were particularly neat (I was a clucker – type cast again). You can guess from the title that the spoofery revolves around the Sci-Fi / alien-invasion / earth-is-doomed films from the days when the heroine is a bombshell in a one-piece cat-suit and a packet of thick black shag costs three and six – even if it has got a homing device concealed in it.  | | Sabina |
Edward Jaspers as Bruce Merritt (“I was dragged here by the Melamites”) has a look of a young Rik Mayall as he cricket-cliches his way through narrating the story. Just the sort of not-quite-self-effacing hero you need when green and orange Aliens start making everything go wobbly with their pesky sonic resonators. Christine Holman makes a fine Emma-Peel-alike and sings very sweetly too. Greg Wagland, Sean McLevy and Jane Millman (the Russian scientist who “defecated” to the west) all show huge versatility and comic timing. And yes – the acclaimed Mrs Giblets literally drops in for a cameo role. She may be barking, but she’s a wow with the crowd. There’s exciting, colourful lighting, brilliantly cheap special effects, the funniest sight-gag I’ve ever seen – they even achieve weightlessness, which is more than Channel 4 could manage – and just when a solution to the plot seems impossible, another unexpected star equally literally drops in for a cameo appearance neatly tying up all loose ends. So – make that a cast of five-and-two-halves! The world is saved, the Alien Queen (Paella The Majestic – a vision in pink) is happy, even the origin of Santa is fully explained. And Penny Griffin, earth’s hardest working Stage Manager and black-string-puller, can relax until tomorrow night. Tickets are rarer than male Melamites. Grab one if you can. The Day the Earth Wobbled a Bit runs until Saturday 28th January 2006. Box Office: 01473 211498. | 
