Have you ever watched a play that leaves you both grinning and actually thinking? That’s exactly what Jurassic does at Soho Theatre. I walked out still chuckling to myself, already wanting to rehash its best bits with a friend.
This show isn’t your average comedy about dinosaur fossils. Sure, there’s plenty of sharp wit and a heap of clever twists, but there’s also this gentle prod to look at the world a little differently. If you think you know what to expect. Trust me, you don’t.
Tim Foley takes inspiration from a late-night Jurassic Park screening, but instead of just riffing on Spielberg, he whisks us into the cutthroat world of academia. Jurassic’s ambition and deception gets messier (and funnier) by the minute.
The direction is top-notch. Piers Black keeps things moving and fresh, while Yandass Ndlovu’s choreography adds a jolt of energy you don’t always get in straight plays. Shout-out to Assistant Director Yanni Ng for keeping it all running smoothly behind the scenes.
Now, the cast. What a duo! Matt Holt and Alastair Michael are an unstoppable pair. They bounced off each other with perfect timing. You feel every bit of their rivalry and desperation right from your seat. The tension sparks with such a flair, that will keep you hooked. There is so much clever and well-timed humour sprinkled throughout, like their walking around pretending to be dinosaurs and just the sheer ridiculousness of it all.
And the tech? Anna Short’s sound work and Catja Hamilton’s lighting really steal the show in parts, creating an atmosphere that pulls you right into the action. You’re not just watching these characters squabble over fossils. It feels like you’re in the room with them, feeling every high and low.
At its heart, Jurassic is the kind of comedy that doesn’t just make you laugh. It makes you think about the world and the people in it. If you’re someone who loves clever theatre and bold performances, you really don’t want to miss this one. Go see it, and be ready to talk about it all the way home.
