The First Men in The Moon

Written & performed by Mark Jardine

Directed by Jacob Blackburn

Adapted from the novel by HG Wells

It's 1919 and Bedford, a penniless playwright, moves to a country cottage in Lympne in Kent convinced that he is capable of the writing of "a very good play". 

However, his  new neighbour Professor Cavor is a scientific genius on the verge of discovering a substance that will change (or possibly destroy) the world. Thrown together by chance the unlikely duo form a bond, forged from Bedford’s avarice and Professor Cavor’s ambition, and set off in a metal sphere to boldly go where no men have gone before. 

Written and performed by Mark Jardine, this new stage adaptation of The First Men in the Moon is a riotously comic and thrillingly dramatic ride through a Sci-Fi classic from the pen of HG Wells. 

Will our intrepid explorers find life? Probably, but not as  we know it. 

The First Men in the Moon is packed with comic creativity, dramatic twists and turns, Selenite moon creatures and a Hermes 2000 typewriter. 

Future dates (click on the link below each date to book tickets) 

29 Mar 2025  Cygnet Theatre, Exeter, Devon

24 April 2025  The Bigg Theatre, Biggleswade, Beds 

31 May 2025  Crediton Arts Centre, Devon

Past dates 

The First Men In The Moon is a champagne pop of an adventure story. 

Mark  Jardine’s one-man show adaptation of the HG Wells story is a classical sci-fi that is  brim-full of compelling charm. The story follows wannabe playwright Bedford and his burgeoning relationship with  dogmatic scientist Professor Cavor. Bedford smells cash when the Prof explains his vision of getting to the moon. Although they get off to an odd start, their collaboration is a believable development, made more remarkable by Mark’s quick-fire conversation between the two. Physically and tonally, he embodies the chancer Bedford and the haughtily distracted Professor Cavor. Mark bounds around the space, and with just himself, a gramophone, typewriter and bits of paper, creates a cottage, a garden, a scientific lab and various lunar landscapes. 

There’s a simple beauty in the storytelling. Mark has managed to slide the skill of famed sci-fi trailblazer into a fast-moving show. There’s a sense of the timeless about  it, but it’s also comforting and energetic. 

The First Men In The Moon lights the touch paper of imagination and takes big  moon-like bounds with activity, energy and fun. Join in the take-off, then sit back  and enjoy the journey. 

Mark trained at the East 15 School of Acting and made his professional debut in the national tour of Grease playing the role of Kenickie. He has also played Mr Lyons in the touring and West End productions of Blood Brothers and Harry in the international tour of Mamma Mia. He is a founding member of the Lichfield Garrick Theatre and has a long association with Nottingham Playhouse. TV credits include series regular Phil Weston in Emmerdale and roles in Coronation Street, Diamond Geezers, Barbara and Beyond Paradise. On film he has appeared in the Ian Curtis bio-pic Control, Jim Loach’s Oranges and Sunshine and The 101-Year-Old Man Who Skipped Out on the Bill and Disappeared.