The Day That Them Orbs Arrived @ The Pleasance Theatre (London Horror Festival 2021) Review

You’ve just switched on your TV, tuned into the world news, and have been told that mysterious orbs adorn the night sky. How would you deal with this? An out of this world, yet comical premise presented by Devil’s Picnic Productions, The Day That Them Orbs Arrived, is a fun take on the alien invasion genre.

Pub landlady Jenny (Lauren Barnes) gears up for her usual evening of custom, the pub’s regulars an eclectic bunch livening up the Cornish based venue. What then ensues is a laugh a minute, race against time to save themselves and the planet from an alien attack – boldness and bravery tested and pushed to the limits as they fend for their lives.

The Day That Them Orbs Arrived is another great addition to the sci-fi theatrical genre, the cast’s dealing with this once in a lifetime event a humorous set up from the get go. The ordinary, now the extraordinary, in an otherwise quiet, sleepy town. Barnes’ accommodating Jenny, Rebecca Allan’s sophisticated Beverly, Thompson’s dead pan Garath, Laura Crowhurst’s defiant Stacey,  Alice Butler’s bubbly Mary, Eddie Mann’s zany Professor Monty Bonty and PJ Selby’s unfiltered Dean make for an entertaining ensemble, reminiscent of a 90s Brit sitcom, each regular is a firm fixture of the evening, memorable. I’m instantly at ease watching the cast play out this unusual play.

Paul Thompson writes and directs a quirky, comical performance, an evening that relishes in its own eccentricities and idiosyncrasies. The show’s exploration of horror is light hearted – a great alternative to the more heavy weighted content if this is what you prefer to watch. An entertaining evening with fantastic comic timing!

Review written by Lucy Basaba.

The Day That Them Orbs Arrives was shown on Saturday 30th October 2021 at The Pleasance as part of this year’s London Horror Festival. To find out more about the production, visit here…