Opening Night: The Twilight Zone

A 20th Century phenomenon, The Twilight Zone was beamed into millions of houses across the United States which now has descended on the Almeida Theatre in Islington. Adapted by Anne Washburn, the play is an earnest and hugely enjoyable celebration of one of TV’s most iconic series. It’s an enchanting, if occasionally unsettling, exploration of “middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition” – the most unexpected Christmas treat.

Guided by a sublime ensemble cast, the audience are asked to suspend their disbelief – easily done when aided by Paul Steinberg cosmic set and a sparse but piercing sonic landscape.  The Twilight Zone went on to spawn many slicker imitators but this production retains all the charm of the original but, via Richard Jones’ direction, has been brought into the 21st century with precision stagecraft and choreography. It’s a winning combination that will tap into nostalgia for the Rod Serling created TV series but will win round a whole new legion of fans.

Here’s what people are saying about the weird and wonderful world of The Twilight Zone on Twitter:

ANYHOO if you can go see @AlmeidaTheatre ‘s production of The Twilight Zone. It’s massively ambitious and playful and shifts tone like a caffeinated F1 driver and it WORKS

— Alasdair Stuart (@AlasdairStuart) December 12, 2017

https://twitter.com/emmarhymeswith/status/940730499701657600

I was clearly affected by last nights production of #TheTwilightZone @AlmeidaTheatre Dreams infiltrated by barking dogs, ventriloquists and pale grey lipstick.

— Amy Bentley Klein (@amyjbentley) December 13, 2017

Wow. #TheTwilightZone at the @AlmeidaTheatre was so,so good! It was adapted for stage brilliantly. It’s still in previews and was that awesome. Please go watch! #mustsee #Theatre #otherworld

— Mel Shirley Rose (@melshirleyrose) December 12, 2017

The Twilight Zone runs until 27 January at the Almeida Theatre. Visit their website for tickets and more information.

Photo by Marc Brenner.