Planet of the Grapes — An Epic, Tabletop, Sci-Fi Adventure! ★★★★

Planet of the Grapes — An Epic, Tabletop, Sci-Fi Adventure! is as delightfully unsubtle as its title, a parodic romp of a classic cult film that fully embraces its camp style to achieve maximum liftoff. It’s irresistibly silly, perfect for Edinburgh Fringe.

Grapes instead of apes could be a one-joke sketch stretched too far, but creator Peter Michael Marino is far too clever to fall into that trap, and with the equally game and enthusiastic co-performer Cecilia Arana, the two perform an abbreviated version of Planet of the Apes that can entertain both fans of the film and those who’ve never seen the movie.

Originally created during Covid lockdown for live screen performances, the show now embraces its miniaturized roots before expanding appropriately for a bigger space, and the astute direction by Michole Biancosino has ensured that its grin-inducing spirit hasn’t lessened in the transition. Audience members are constantly engaged to participate in ways that wouldn’t threaten even the shyest patron, and the lively score by Michael Harren adds significantly to the bounciness of the experience.

What’s most endearing about the production is its can-do-with-little aesthetic. Astronauts, spaceships, and an entire post-apocalyptic planet have been created out of bottle caps, empty sardine cans, light bulb parts, wine corks (how many bottles of vino were consumed in this process, one wonders), deodorant sticks, and pretty much anything that could be mustered from an apartment during an epidemic. The transformations of these everyday objects is a salute to the power of the imagination, making Planet of the Grapes a powerful reminder that with the right people, theatrical magic can be made anywhere, any way, any time.