No Problem. The theatre of Ken Campbell - ACE110.2

Ken Campbell directing rehearsal of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Campbell says that, to speed things up, he uses "the direct method" as taught him "by an Israeli soldier"; demonstrates with the actors. Interviews with actors (and Campbell) talking about Campbell’s methods intercut with rehearsal sequences. "No other director works a similar way." "I compromise all the way round." Douglas Adams, Author, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, says that Campbell "wants to be legendary" and relates anecdote about him changing actors’ roles shortly before first night. Rainbow Theatre, London. Adams talking about moving the production there. Part of "the Restaurant at the End of the Universe" sequence. Adams describes how larger venue means detail is lost. Long shot of performance: the ship with Improbability Drive. Campbell thinks the Rainbow production was "third rate". Adams says that Campbell’s strength lies in "creating something marvellous and impossible out of nothing".