Planet Lem

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Teatr Biuro Podró?y, the doyens of Polish theatre and pioneers of outdoor performance have colonised the Old College Quad once more for their futuristic, effortlessly cool new show. Inspired by the writings of Solaris author Stanislaw Lem, it’s a mesmerising spectacle, complete with robots—including some, in true TBP style, on stilts—humanoids, aliens and a dashing space traveller.

You rarely see science fiction like this on stage and few British productions outside the West End have this kind of magnificent set, which comes complete with a spinning disc and contraptions that offers us a convincing lift off. Like their previous shows Macbeth: Who is that Bloodied Man? and Carmen Funebre, the company show that they’re experts at creating arresting images. Humanoids are sprayed with glitter and screens crackle with images of an Oz-like overseer. It’s riveting stuff, stylishly done and on this clear Edinburgh night, it’s creates a magical open-air concert feel.

But it’s in its plot that Planet Lem starts to come undone. Given that the plot is actually fairly simple—our space travelling hero travels to another planet and eventually has to save the subjugated race—it’s not clearly told. The spectacle takes precedence, so it often feels like style over substance. Your experience also depends very much on where you stand in the Old College, and if you’re anywhere other than the front row, action may be easily obscured. All the same, Planet Lem is a starkly original and ultimately crowd-pleasing production.