Planet Lem is a captivating and sometimes baffling exploration of the sci-fi works of the author Stanislav Lem. With a set that keeps being changed throughout the show, music blasting out of speakers, and fantastically inventive costumes this production from Teatr Biuro Podrozy was certainly visually spectacular and, at moments, touching and poignant.
The performance imagines a dystopic world where humans, having given too much power to their robot servants, have become nothing more than stupid sacks of flesh engaged in an endless cycle of pointless work followed by drinking and dancing.
In a play without dialogue it is the costumes really steal the show. The robot overlords are brilliantly realised with long, languorous metal legs that hum ominously as they lurch around the stage. The costumes for the humans are also oddly powerful; the actors are simply encased in fat suits that perfectly reflect their degenerate condition as they mine, drink, or dance.
There are many positive aspects to Planet Lem. However, although visually stunning, there were scenes that were not as moving as I had hoped. The fight scenes at the beginning do not convince and there are several scenes that feel devoid of dramatic potential. Sometimes the storytelling is obscured by the music and the audience are left feeling a little bewildered. The relationship between the astronaut and the black-suited roller-skater also feels unexplored, their interactions limited to an argument over firearms.
Despite being held back by a few problems, Planet Lem is undoubtedly an imaginative and innovative piece of theatre. Gorgeous to watch, it certainly has the potential to be even more than it is now.
