Theatre of the Absurd? The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy on Stage
Channel: British Library
Date: 2022-04-10

This unique discussion was filmed at the British Library on 8 March 2020, as part of a day-long celebration, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy at 42! It is now being made available on film for the first time to mark what would have been Douglas Adams’s 70th birthday.

In 1979, maverick theatre director Ken Campbell created the first stage version of the much-loved radio series and book at London’s ICA. Featuring everything from two actors inside a large Zaphod Beeblebrox costume to an audience being pushed around on a hovercraft, it was a sell-out sensation. The following year, Campbell staged a new version at the vast Rainbow Theatre, featuring a rock band, lasers, a three hour run-time and a huge budget. This time things were more challenging. In between these two, another extremely popular production of all six episodes of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy was toured by Theatr Clwyd.

Join some of the key figures behind these dramatic stories; Richard Hope and Cindy Oswin (ICA cast), Mike Cule and David Learner (Rainbow Theatre cast) and Jonathan Petherbridge, who adapted and directed The Hitchhiker’s Guide for Theatr Clwyd.

Chaired by leading Hitchhiker’s authority, writer and film maker Kevin Jon Davies who was witness to both ICA and Rainbow productions.

Film produced by Kevin Jon Davies.