Hitchhiker's Guide arrives at Liverpool Empire

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Not everyone knows that the earth has been run by mice for thousands of years, or that the best drink in existence is the Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster. But for fans of Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy, this would be common knowledge. Douglas Adams's sci-fi favourite lands at the Liverpool Empire for two nights only.

Arthur Dent is not having good day. He was looking forward to a relaxing day, a bit of reading, brushing the dog. Instead he finds himself the only human being left in existence after planet Earth has been destroyed, marooned on a spaceship with his friend Ford Prefect who he thought was from Guilford but is actually from a small planet near Betelgeuse. Unfortunately the spaceship that they have hitched a ride with is full of Vogon's. Described in the Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy as 'One of the most unpleasant races in the Galaxy. On no account let a Vogon read poetry at you.'

Things only get worse for poor Arthur and if that was not bad enough he has to face everything in just his pyjamas and dressing gown, oh and that very useful towel.

This show has been able to gather most of the original cast back together. Not having heard the original radio shows myself, I was very well instructed by my companions who had, that it kept almost to its original form as was possible.

Transporting anything onto a massive stage such as the Liverpool Empire is not an easy feat, and they almost succeeded. Dividing the stage into two halves, where the band were placed on one platform, and on the opposite side was placed the narrator of the show in a leather chair, and there were five microphones placed at the head of the stage. Up above all the action was a screen where the all important graphics that have become so integral to the story were projected; the planet Earth being destroyed, the Whale plummeting to Earth whilst contemplating his existence, alongside a vase of petunias. Good use was made of this, and was central almost all the way throughout, even providing the audience with the words to songs, and advising us not to panic.

Lending his poetic voice for the evening, Liverpool's favourite poet Roger McGough took on the role of narrator.

Simon Jones plays the original Arthur Dent, alongside Geoff McGivern as Ford Prefect. Not forgetting that this is a radio show and that there are scripts in hands, these two seemed more familiar and at ease with their words, and would often drop their scripts to speak directly to the audience. The off the wall two headed and three armed character of Zaphod Beeblebrox was played by Mark-Wing-Davey and Trillian by Susan Sheridan completed the line up.

The one character in the show not to belong to a body was Marvin The Paranoid Android who was voiced by Stephen Moore, again the original voice in the radio shows. Despite being thoroughly miserable and being convinced that everyone hated him, he was a firm favourite with the audience.

Adapted, written and directed by Dirk Maggs, there were sections in the show where perhaps there could have been room for more things to happen; the lines were funny, but it seemed to lack a little energy in places and there did seem to be many missed opportunities to make this mediocre show into a brilliant show and one worthy of Adams's books.

5/10

Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy is a Perfectly Normal Production and The Entertainment Business for The Radio Theatre Company. It runs until the 19th June and then goes on tour. Please see hitchhikerslive.com for more information.