Wallace and Musk: A Tale of Ambitions Beyond the Stars
Elon Musk may be a household name in innovation and space exploration, but there’s one unlikely character who seems to have beaten the billionaire in this interstellar race: Wallace, the beloved animated inventor from Wallace & Gromit.
Actor Ben Whitehead, known for voicing Wallace, takes center stage in David Morley’s play Elon Musk: Lost In Space, a darkly comedic take on Musk’s ventures and personality. The play, currently running during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival at the Grand Theatre at theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, offers an imaginative narrative exploring Musk’s ambitions, absurdities, and the complexities of his character.
A Laughable Space Race: Wallace or Musk?
Whitehead humorously pointed out that Wallace has already achieved what Musk is still working toward—interstellar travel! From flying to the moon in A Grand Day Out to landing on Mars in the 2023 VR game The Grand Getaway, Wallace’s fictional escapades rival Musk’s real-world attempts with SpaceX.
“Wallace has much more experience in space,” Whitehead jokes. “He’s even made it to another planet. The only thing Elon might need is a Gromit of his own!”
While the play draws some whimsical parallels between the animated inventor and the self-proclaimed “Technoking,” it also delves into the controversies surrounding Musk. The billionaire’s ventures—like promoting electric cars with Tesla and championing space travel with SpaceX—are often met with both admiration and criticism, making him an endlessly intriguing figure to explore on stage.
A Satirical Take on a Billionaire’s Space Odyssey
Described as a “darkly comic sci-fi satire,” the 70-minute production features Whitehead as Musk and Sarah Lawrie as the AI companion named M-UTHA. Through Musk’s journey aboard one of his spacecraft, the play humorously tackles the eccentricities of the world’s richest man, including a phone call from Donald Trump that sends his mental state spiraling.
For Whitehead, embodying Musk required significant preparation. “I didn’t even have Musk on my radar until about a year ago,” he admits, reflecting on the challenges of portraying such a divisive public figure. The play aims to strike a clever balance between Musk’s altruistic aspirations and his controversial public persona.
Wallace & Gromit and the Theatrical Journey
Although Whitehead is best known for voicing Wallace in the iconic franchise, including the 2024 movie Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, the Fringe marks his first official job as part of the theater festival. His portrayal of Musk has allowed him to showcase a dynamic and physical performance, contrasting the quieter recording sessions for the animated films.
Despite the focus on theater for now, Whitehead remains hopeful about future Wallace & Gromit projects. “It would be fantastic to work on another film,” he shares. However, as fans know, quality takes time. Until then, he’s excited to experiment with unique roles and perhaps create his own show for the Fringe in the future.
Experience the Play and Keep Your Inner Child Alive
If you’re attending the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, don’t miss Elon Musk: Lost In Space, running until Saturday. For tickets, visit the official Fringe website. Not only will you enjoy a laugh-out-loud performance, but you’ll also leave thinking about the quirks of modern billionaires and their place in shaping our future.
And speaking of leaving an impression, why not indulge in some Wallace-inspired comfort while pondering space travel? Check out this charming cheese board set on Amazon, perfect for celebrating Wallace’s eternal love for cheese!
