The Void
03 October 2025
Watford Palace Theatre
4.0 out of 5.0 stars
The Void paid a short visit to the Watford Palace Theatre during its UK tour, just in time for spooky season. From Thunder Road, The Void is a sci-fi horror production that seeks to unsettle and provoke with this mixed media theatre performance that incorporates projections and illusions to draw up a sense of dread in its audience.
It is the year 2160, the earth has been destroyed, governments have collapsed, only corporations have survived. Humans are mining space for valuable resources in a fight to survive. Flynn, a disgraced space ranger for the IAC, patrols near Saturn when he comes across a large research vessel in distress. As he boards the dilapidated ship, it seems deserted at first, but when the onboard control computer Nova behaves unlike any Flynn has encountered before, he quickly learns there is a horror on board that threatens all of human existence.
This ominous production really knows how to trouble its audience, setting up a creepy atmosphere from the start with spooky droning noise and beeping interference washing over the auditorium before curtains up. A clever and engaging set that depicts a decaying space station only needs minimal modification to stand in for multiple locations across the space ship, and a huge, round projection screen at the centre works wonders to set the mood throughout.
With an intriguing storyline that draws from classics like Alien and Invasion of the Bodysnatchers, it’s an excellent sci-fi horror that keeps the audience breathless, going from looming sense of dread to absolute terror in a heartbeat. Building tension and connection with its characters, this deft two-hander feels much bigger thanks to its special effects and illusions.
The Void is a fantastic production to enjoy during spooky season and a delight for any horror aficionado.
