The Void UK Tour Review (Hull Truck Theatre)

06 September 2025 I 19:30 I Hull Truck Theatre

⭐⭐⭐⭐ I PR - Invite

In the contemporary theatre landscape, it is rare to see the representation of sci-fi thrillers due to their subversions of reality. Devised by Thunder Road Theatre, The Void is a multimedia play that follows Flint, a space ranger on the brink of humanity as a dangerous virus ravages those left behind. With a semblance to cinematic sci-fi greats, The Void is immensely successful in developing its own identity, a production that challenges the boundaries of theatre.

Located on an adrift spaceship, Caitlin Mawhinney's scenic design is a manifestation to rival Ridley Scott's Alien, a fragmented control room enhanced with angular metal shards thrusting outwards. Her destructive designs encapsulate an apocalyptic atmosphere, complimented by Ben Parsons' compositions to craft an audible soundscape of emptiness and desolation, characterising the austerity of space.

Photography Credit: Marc Brenner

Where this production tours to smaller regional venues, Lewis Joss and Jamie Docherty's illusions feel all the more exhilarating in such intimate spaces. A highlight of their work sees Flint leave the spaceship to traverse the void, utilising an abstract stagecraft to give the impression of weightlessness in space, a magical suspension of gravity that is captivating to watch. With a terrific multitude of illusions, Thunder Road Theatre are masters of staging the impossible right in front of our eyes!

In a two-man performance, Alex Moran's Flint takes the helm with an unflinching presence, onstage for the entirety. With an emotionally investing role, his brutish instabilities marked by circumstance induce an empathy for Flint. Moran holds a remarkable tension through his body, a beautiful handling of horror that invites audience into his fear in pulse-raising scenes.

A supporting performance from Ryan Simons as Blair is equally commendable, leaning into melodrama to contrast Moran as a highly unpredictable outsider. His vocal tone demonstrates great range, between a provoking sharpness and convincingly soft texture, our trust in Blair's motives dramatically wavers.

Photography Credit: Marc Brenner

The weakest area of this debut production falls in a generative AI-led video design, featured in the majority of the show. Opening scenes detail a nuclear fallout, projecting a collage of propaganda-style videos to promote a 'better Earth'. The artificial insincerity and anomalies of AI are satirical in nature to great artistic success. However, as members of the crew are created with the same technology, a lack of authenticity and emotional depth is difficult to sympathise. Channelling the grotesque through recorded performers and SFX makeup would find more resonance with audiences, although the commentary on the future of tech is investing nonetheless.

With additional voice work from Olwen May, the spaceship's computer Nova engages in dialogue with the leading performers, finding subtle humour in her caustic attitude and allowing the blocking to open up towards the audience. Simons' script is clear, if occasionally slowing in pace, not to patronise its audience with a complex subject matter, well-balanced between lengthier dialogue and abstract sequence.

The creative team of The Void collaborate with an immense attention to detail, completed with Andrew Crofts' obscured lighting designs to find a palpable tension, aesthetically thrilling to make hearts race! Thunder Road Theatre, under Simons' direction, are masterful practitioners in stage magic, producing an (inter)stellar premiere that honours sci-fi in its beguiling glory.

Info & Tickets: https://www.thunderroadtheatre.org/thevoid