Massive explosions, melting robots, car chases, fist fights, Judgement Day itself – and all in an inflatable dome in the Pleasance? That’s what Bootworks Theatre delivers in its lovably DIY tribute to ‘Terminator 2’ and the power of movies to shape childhood development. It’s a show that explores the way pop culture obsessions can become building blocks in our psyche – and, in case that sounds a bit heavy, there’s also a movie quiz with Jammie Dodgers as prizes.
Andy has watched ‘Terminator 2: Judgement Day’ exactly 238 times in his life, to the point where he can recite the whole thing from memory. If you’re less familiar with it, don’t worry – this is a show that thrives on audience interaction, and you’ll almost certainly play a key part in it, whether that’s stubbing a prop cigar out on a fellow punter’s chest or racing remote-controlled cars down a make-believe LA river. This isn’t just a nostalgic name-recognition cash-in exercise, though – underlying all the high-energy play-acting is a genuinely touching coming of age story about pubescent romance and familial relationships.
Of course, it’s a show that’ll favour people who share Andy’s infatuation with movies, so if you’re really not that into films, you might want to knock a star off that rating. For everyone else, Bootworks is providing an exciting, all-action nighttime performance that’ll save you from yet another lifeless, uninvolved audience experience – go with them if you want to live.