Mankind's clever step
Robyn Gallagher
Apollo 13: Mission Control, Downstage Theatre, reviewed by Robyn Gallagher
“APOLLO 13: Mission Control” with its clever combination of comedy, drama and aerospace engineering is back, at Downstage Theatre.
The theatre space has been stripped of its regular seating, with the whole theatre transformed into Mission Control. Audience members are seated at consoles (complete with blinking lights, switches and communication equipment) or up in the press gallery.
The show’s action is subtly underscored by music composed by James “Laurence Arabia” Milne, which turns a simple team roll call (“Guidance?” “Check!”) into a moving prelude to the lift-off.
Soon the Apollo crew inform Mission Control that “Houston, we’ve had a problem”, and the audience’s mission then turns into getting the astronauts returned safely to earth.
The cast members were impressive in their roles, staying perfectly in character with the dialogue improvised, including cheerful wrangling of audience members.
The audience seated in the console area cannot be passive. I had to work with the other people in my row, sharing information, calculating equations, and the occasional high-five for work well done.
The show seemed to be particularly enjoyed by the small boys in the audience, who were treated quite seriously as team members, passing on important information to the flight directors.
The computing power in the Apollo guidance system would be outgunned by any modern cellphone, but what saved the astronauts was quick and innovative thinking by humans.
And similarly, despite the impressive set, the show works because at its heart is a good story told well. The Hackman creative team has taken a reasonably well-known 20th century story and told it with simplicity and emotion. When the astronauts do finally make it (and I don’t think that’s a spoiler!), it’s hard not to feel genuine joy at their safe return.
The last Apollo mission was in 1972. Those of us under the age of 40 haven’t been through the thrill of those early days of man in space. “Apollo 13: Mission Control” lets audiences experience that.
“APOLLO 13: Mission Control” with its clever combination of comedy, drama and aerospace engineering is back, at Downstage Theatre.
The theatre space has been stripped of its regular seating, with the whole theatre transformed into Mission Control. Audience members are seated at consoles (complete with blinking lights, switches and communication equipment) or up in the press gallery.
The show’s action is subtly underscored by music composed by James “Laurence Arabia” Milne, which turns a simple team roll call (“Guidance?” “Check!”) into a moving prelude to the lift-off.
Soon the Apollo crew inform Mission Control that “Houston, we’ve had a problem”, and the audience’s mission then turns into getting the astronauts returned safely to earth.
The cast members were impressive in their roles, staying perfectly in character with the dialogue improvised, including cheerful wrangling of audience members.
The audience seated in the console area cannot be passive. I had to work with the other people in my row, sharing information, calculating equations, and the occasional high-five for work well done.
The show seemed to be particularly enjoyed by the small boys in the audience, who were treated quite seriously as team members, passing on important information to the flight directors.
The computing power in the Apollo guidance system would be outgunned by any modern cellphone, but what saved the astronauts was quick and innovative thinking by humans.
And similarly, despite the impressive set, the show works because at its heart is a good story told well. The Hackman creative team has taken a reasonably well-known 20th century story and told it with simplicity and emotion. When the astronauts do finally make it (and I don’t think that’s a spoiler!), it’s hard not to feel genuine joy at their safe return.
The last Apollo mission was in 1972. Those of us under the age of 40 haven’t been through the thrill of those early days of man in space. “Apollo 13: Mission Control” lets audiences experience that.
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