The self-indulgent 5D bit…..
To say I was devastated last week would be something of a catastrophic understatement. Prior to that it had all been going so well……
The previous few weeks had seen 5D lucky enough to have had some dealings with a brand new sci-fi themed theatrical production, Dark Sublime. The play, featuring Star Trek: The Next Generation legend Marina Sirtis, was due to begin its run on Tuesday 25th June and ultimately finish 6 weeks later on Saturday 3rd August.
The highlight of these dealings had been the chance to talk with Director, Andrew Keats in which he talked about this thrilling debut play by Michael Dennis. The play, featuring the legendary Marina Sirtis (Star Trek: Next Generation) & Mark Gatiss (The League of Gentlemen, Sherlock), is a theatrical love-letter to British sci-fi television which examines the feeling of belonging that comes with finding your place among the outcasts. Also in the conversation Andrew talked about his lifelong love of Sci-fi and the theatre. He also talks in depth about the story behind Dark Sublime coming his way, as well as working with Marina & his wonderful cast.
If you want to watch/listen to the conversation you can do so at the following sources;
ITunes – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/5d-sci-fi-fantasy-horror/id1345044762?i=1000440857982
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/3ji40BlMYqUqMqhFXE5K7a?si=Cn9XznnLT1KypAUli9I3yw
YouTube (video) – https://youtu.be/7DBYKQAEXB8
A couple of weeks ago I received a message from the publicity company dealing with the production….
Hi Stuart,
I hope you’re having a lovely week so far!
I’m delighted to confirm your Press ticket to Dark Sublime at Trafalgar Studios on Friday 28 June at 7pm. The running time is 2 hours 40mins.
Tickets will be available at the Press Desk and if you have any problems, please give me a ring on (TOP SECRET)
Please link to @DarkSublimePlay @TrafStudios if tweeting.
Production images will be available before press night, and the press release is attached with all further details.
All the best,
How marvellous! A trip down to London, a prestigious press pass, a chance to mingle with the Theatrical hoi-pollie, a chance to tell Marina Sirtis that she is one of the loves of my life and an opportunity once again to actually pretend I know what the hell I am doing.
However………the glory path onwards to 5D world domination was hijacked by a plot line from an H.G Wells novel because just like those dastardly Martian invaders from The War Of The Worlds, my quest was derailed by the common cold. In fact not just the common cold, but the subsequent onset of Labyrinthitis (look it up) as a rather nasty consequence.
In other words, I could not attend………. Of course, this all would have been easier to bear if news and reviews of the production had been of a negative nature (because it’s all about me). As it turns out Dark Sublime is something of a triumph with a plethora or rave reviews and bumper audiences…..
There may be some that would accuse me of be shallow and self-indulgent about this whole episode – but if that’s what you think I would ask you just where the heck have you been during the existence of 5D? Because if you think that this is the only self-indulgent article I’ve ever put together you are sadly mistaken……
Anyhoo, putting my shallowness aside for just a (very brief) moment, let me tell you what you (and I) have been missing out so far in regard to Dark Sublime.
About Dark Sublime
Joining Marina Sirtis (Star Trek: The Next Generation) as she makes her West End debut are theatre titans Jacqueline King (Doctor Who, BBC; Spring Storm, National Theatre) and Simon Thorp (Hard Sun, BBC; Royal Shakespeare Company), esteemed actor and LQBTQ+ campaigner Sophie Ward (Young Sherlock Holmes, Amblin Entertainment; Jane Eyre, BBC Films) alongside one of the most exciting up and coming UK actors Kwaku Mills (good dog, UK Tour; The End of Eddy, UK Tour). Stage and screen star Mark Gatiss (Sherlock and League of Gentlemen, BBC; The Madness of George III, Nottingham Playhouse) will be lending his voice to the part of Kosley, a hysterical talking computer, in this world premiere of Dark Sublime.
Oli arrives at the door of Marianne, a fading jobbing actress. He’s impatient to make an impression, to make a friend. Marianne knows about waiting – for her turn at something more substantial than a half-remembered role on a cult TV show, for her best friend to see her differently.
As Oli forces her back into the past, and a strange, outrageous world she hasn’t visited in almost 40 years, Marianne must find her own way into the future. Together they begin to discover what every good relationship needs: time and space.
Directed by Andrew Keates (As Is and Dessa Rose, Trafalgar Studios), Dark Sublime boldly explores the complexities of relationships, especially in the LGBTQ community. Considering what later life is like for older gay women as well as the next generation, it contrasts bittersweet lived experiences with real humour.
This thrilling debut play by Michael Dennis is a theatrical love-letter to British sci-fi television which examines the feeling of belonging that comes with finding your place among the outcasts. Fans will do anything for their heroes, but what if your biggest fan is your closest companion?
How you you can see Dark Sublime
Location: Trafalgar Studios, 14 Whitehall, London SW1A 2DY
Tickets are available from the Trafalgar Studios Box Office, https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/trafalgar-studios/ and 0844 871 7632 priced from £25 – £35.
Trafalgar Studios is located on Whitehall. The nearest underground stations are Charing Cross (on the Bakerloo and Northern lines), Embankment (on the Bakerloo, Northern, Circle and District lines), Westminster (on the Jubilee, Circle and District lines) and Leicester Square (on the Northern and Piccadilly lines). The nearest rail station is Charing Cross.
Running time: 2 hours with an interval
