TIME TRAVELLING – WITH A BABY. At The brighton Fringe
When theatre maker Mark Finbow began developing his new one person adaptation of HG Wells’ story The Time Machine, during the 2020 lockdown, he had no idea he was soon to become a father. Now that he is touring nationwide, through space and time, with his baby along for the ride this classic sci-fi tale has taken on a whole new meaning.
In the Autumn of 2020, with the theatre industry on it’s knees, Finbow took it upon himself to develop a brand new one person show that would be ready to tour community spaces and theatres once venues could re-open. At the beginning of 2021 he, and his long-term partner Charlie, discovered they were to become parents. This has given the show, and The Traveller’s interaction with a tiny alien friend, a deeper resonance.
Finbow commented: “I have always read HG Wells’ story as a tale of a Batchelor who must learn to become a father, or guardian at least, to an alien creature. Now I have my own strange little creature to take care of the story rings truer and reaches deeper than I initially expected it would.”
Although baby Finbow does not appear in the show the father/son acting duo have already appeared in a world-wide ad campaign for Tommee Tippee baby products and next year will star in an independent feature film about single fatherhood.
“My co-star in this show is an extremely cute puppet, which for me, is my son’s “familiar” on stage. Although he doesn’t make an appearance he is with me in spirit during the performance. And he loves the neon lights of the machine so I think he approves of my puppet friend.”
Working with a team of East Anglian theatre makers Finbow has created a show that uses puppetry, neon lights, electronic music and a fully functioning time machine live on stage to tell this classic story about he future of the human race. The Time Machine has been specifically designed to be small-scale and easy to transport, cost-effective for smaller venues, and has been carefully constructed to appeal to the entire family – especially fans of classic British Science fiction, such as Doctor Who.
This is The Keeper’s Daughter’s, return to Brighton Fringe after the company’s show Beauty’s Legacy, starring Finbow, West-End star Simon Anthony Rhoden and RSC regular Eloise Secker, won a place on WINDOW week and became a recommended show at the Fringe in 2014.
“Its great to be at The Rotunda Theatre. I can’t wait to be a part of England’s greatest fringe again at a time when it is so important to get inspiring theatre in front of audiences in any way possible.”
The Time Machine is on a nationwide tour with The Keeper’s Daughter Theatre Company and has been supported by Arts Council England and The Seagull Theatre Lowestoft. The Time Machine is available to book for arts venues and community spaces now. The Time Machine is at The Rotundat Theatre: Bubble on 7th and 8th May at 1.30pm. The show then returns on 28th and 29th May at 1.30pm and for the final weekend of the fringe on 4th and 5th June at 4.30pm. Tickets can be booked at www.rotundatheatre.com and www.brightonfringe.org.
For further information on the show visit www.keepersdaughter.com.