The stage isn’t always a natural place for science fiction. But David Greig’s stage adaptation of Stanisław Lem’s cult novel—which was later remade into Andrei Tarkovsky’s 1972 film and Steven Soderbergh’s version of 2002, starring George Clooney—is sublime. The setting is a space station orbiting Solaris, from which three scientists have been studying the planet. Or is it the other way around? In this 2019 translation of the psychological thriller, Greig makes updates—a gender-balanced spaceship!—and takes liberties with both plot and personalities. —B.A.
The Arts Intel Report
Solaris
When
Oct 10 – Nov 2, 2019
Where
Lyric Square, King St, Hammersmith, London W6 0QL, United Kingdom