one4review | On 20, Aug 2026

This solo sci-fi musical is written and performed by Michelle Lema. Welcome to space, as you enter you are now aboard Bean’s spaceship. Do you know the meaning of Redacted, well you will soon find out as the self-proclaimed ‘worst space story of all time’ gets underway.

Bean starts the show with her intro song Bean Vs Robots then explains some rules onboard the spaceship before introducing some well-known Lord of the Rings characters that are referenced throughout the show including Gollum and encourages the audience to shout Gollum at any time throughout the performance as this prompts Bean to stop what she’s doing and jump into character with a voice very similar to the Wizard of Oz wicked witch.

Space travel has wiped Beans memory but she still remembers the robots. Let’s just say the robots aren’t all metal and plastic. She takes to the keyboard again before identifying an Elijah Wood in the audience and a good-looking boss. Have you ever wondered what Elijah Wood’s feet look like? As the zany show progresses, the mood suddenly changes as she describes a moment looking into someone’s eyes as they take their final breath. Was this person her moon?

Bean then sings her ‘Time travel’ and ‘space vampires’ song but the vampires are not hungry for blood! After some more fun and keyboard frolics, she returns to discuss her moon and her identity is revealed. Despite all the fun and laughter, this is a time to reflect and engage your emotions. You suddenly realise you might not have been in space but somewhere a lot more familiar, but for Bean is space escapism, is it a coping mechanism or was she actually there? Whatever the outcome, her spaceship is her home. Welcome back to Earth!

To begin with, Lema’s character and performance was certainly ‘out there’ but as the show continues you start to connect with her character. She performs her whacky songs very well, complimented by her keyboard. The brilliance of the show is being on Bean’s spaceship one minute and being brought back down to earth the next but being part of Bean’s journey was certainly a blast!

****
Reviewed by Steve.J.
TheSpace at Surgeons Hall
Until 29 August (not 23)
Various Times