1997

An Alien Voices Production
Based on the novel by H. G. Wells: The First Men In The Moon
Playwriters: Nat Segaloff, John de Lancie
Dir.: Jack Fletcher

James Kaver: Leonard Nimoy

This play was performed on stage and -at the same time- aired in a radio program. Folly artists perform on stage while the actors read the texts before a life audience.

A video tape was made and here you get the Simon and Schuster audio.

Introduction: Dwight Schultz
Bedford: John de Lancie
James Kaver: Leonard Nimoy
Moon-King: William Shatner

With:
Ethan Philips
Dwight Schulz
Kurtwood Smith
Keegan & Owen de Lancie

"Good evening, I am Leonard Nimoy... you'll see a special that I am tremendously excited to be part of. We are going back to the style of old – time – radio to bring you a dramatic performance of the classic H. G. Wells story: The First Men In The Moon. Simulcast live on the SciFi Channel and the internet."

Introduction: Readers know that H. G. Wells has traveled the Moon long before the flag has been put there; come now with Alien Voices as we take one small step for men and one giant leap for science fiction.

Bedford rushes into a room demanding a wireless in despair.
He needs to warn the world: "They are coming! They are coming from the moon!"
They are receiving a signal... from the moon. James Kaver, who, as Bedford claims, is dead, insists that a friends of his; Bedford, abandoned him in the moon.
Bedford claims he did not abandon him, but tried to save him.

Bedford is asked to tell the whole story.

Two months ago, one late afternoon, Bedford has met James Kaver, who seems to be occupied with his work. He is on the verge of a discovery: An anti-gravity machine. A substance will block the effect of gravity. Any object covered in it will not be affected by gravity. Kaver shares that he will call the substance "Kaverite".
A test works and both decide to go to the moon by a ship of some kind. While Bedford thinks of wealth and Kaver thinks of scientific research both discuss the extraordinary aim: To go to the moon, the pale faced moon!

In less than a month a blacksmith creates a vessel and cannot believe how anybody could plan such a dangerous thing as to go across the Niagara Falls, but Kaver declares he would never dream of doing such a dangerous thing as to go to across the Falls, they go to the moon.
Bedford is surprised to learn that they are leaving this very night. But he enters the sphere in which their voices sound hollow. As Bedford gets second thoughts as "I was a fool", Kaver corrects: "You are a scientist now!" They enter the sphere and overcome gravity on their way ... to the moon.
Having landed Kaver burns a piece of paper which indicates that there is oxygen for them to breath. They disembark and begin to explore the area.

While Bedford discovers diamonds Kaver urges them to get back to the vessel. Fast growing vegetation makes it necessary to retrieve the sphere as soon as possible. To their surprise there is a moon-cow; and it is slaughtered by ant-like creatures armed with spears. They are discovered, too. Escaping into a cave they find themselves chained to the wall after they fell into a deep hole.

The ant-like creatures loosen the chains and attempt conversation while taking them along. The world of the inhabitants shows highly interesting architecture.

Suddenly Kaver explains to Bedford that one of them said: "Watch your step." Bedford does not believe it unless he does what Kaver explained: "Listen, .. not to the words."

"Telepathy?" "Yes, just relax!" and both can communicate with them. On their way Bedford learns that the common building material is available in unlimited amounts: Gold.

Soon they are bound to meet the Grand Lunar who welcomes them. First he wants to learn how they got here. Kaver explains about Kaverite and learns from the King that they also experiment with such a substance they call "Lunarite".

Bedford tries to offer a deal: Since they seem to have an abundance of gold, he offers to remove it. The Grand Lunar wonders what they could offer in return. They have enough food (moon –cows) and they need no clothing. Bedford offers weapons to protect themselves. "From whom?" the king wonders and asks about the Grand Earther. Kaver tells him that there is none, but many regional ones, which the king finds very ineffective.
He learns about the word "war" which is fought to get land, wealth and power and it is fought by destructing land, wealth and power. The grand Lunar tells them that here is no need for war. Everybody is happy and works for the common goal. Nothing he learns from the earth seems to be desirable to him, but since the earth is suffering from wars, he sees a need for them to intervene.

He orders them to be led away. "Do as you like with Bedford, but as for the inventor: He shall remain here as our guest." From their cells they could escape, but as Badford could make it to the sphere, Kaver was caught by the insect-men.

Bedford found his way back to earth. Just as Bedford has finished his story, they retrieve another call from Kaver: "Warning! I'm in hiding. Not much time left..." "Did you tell them the secret of Kaverite?" "It was horrible! Horrible!" Kaver exclaims and the transmission stops.

Bedford is sure: As he knows the moon people, the people on earth won't have long to wait...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCdOXEJIXpE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWpjhdZZAko&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3KFS9PV_rw