Science Fiction and the Theatre of Alistair McDowall

The prominence of science fiction in British theatre, a form once critically derided, has been steadily developing since the turn of the millennium. While scholarly interest in the field has yet to truly recognise its successes, science fiction has recently emerged amongst the work of numerous playwrights as an ideal method for interrogating contemporary issues. This in turn has led to new science fiction plays opening at influential venues such as the Royal Court, as well as on London’s West End. This new practice is exemplified by Alistair McDowall, whose plays are set on Middlesbrough council estates and at the fringes of the solar system, where scientists, drug addicts and school drop-outs feature alongside superheroes, space ships and time machines. His work is demonstrably science fictional, as well as determinedly theatrical, fusing the unique potential of live performance with the innovative and imaginative workings of the genre. Aiming to stimulate debate on the growing relevance of science fiction within both contemporary society and theatrical praxis, this article examines the role of science fiction in two of McDowall’s recent works, discussing how the imagery and concerns of the genre are represented on stage. Furthermore, it shall analyse how McDowall utilises science fiction to subvert, disrupt, and reimagine the limits of realist performance, allowing him to experiment with form and content, and ultimately challenging what he regards as an implicit bias against the value of pop culture products. © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.