Cult classic Dr. Strangelove gets a timely makeover at The Bord Gais Energy Theatre

“Impending doom is back in fashion,” Iannucci quipped, acknowledging the film’s eerie relevance today. Now, the adaptation feels less like a period piece and more like a mirror of our times.

Transforming a film as visually distinct as Dr. Strangelove into a theatre production was no small feat. The film’s stark black-and-white aesthetic, its confined sets — the War Room, the B-52 bomber, and General Ripper’s office — and its famously deadpan performances meant that Iannucci and Foley had to think carefully about how to retain its essence while creating a genuine theatrical experience.

“I think for me, the tone of the film is unique, and that’s what we’ve concentrated on bringing to the stage,” Foley explained. “It has to be a night at the theatre, not just a reenactment of the film.”

This involved embracing theatricality. One of the production’s boldest choices was to have actor Steve Coogan portray multiple roles, much like Peter Sellers did in the film. However, rather than opting for a straightforward impersonation, Coogan’s performance offers fresh interpretations of these characters.

The stage as a new medium for Strangelove

“It would be a dull experience if we attempted to recreate Sellers’ work,” Foley said. “What makes this exciting is that audiences witness these transformations occurring in real-time, right before their eyes.”

For Iannucci, known for his scathing political comedies like The Thick of It and Veep, this was an opportunity to explore a different type of satire. “The humour in Dr. Strangelove comes from playing it absolutely straight,” he said. “There’s a real absurdity in the way power operates, and Kubrick understood that better than anyone.”

The transition from screen to stage meant rethinking how the story unfolds. “If you strip the film down to just dialogue, it’s about 45 minutes long,” Iannucci continued. “So we had to build on what was there while staying true to the spirit of it.”

Theatrical illusion also plays a key role. With rapid character changes and minimal set transitions, audiences will witness the performance mechanics in a way they never could in film. “One of the joys of theatre is that everything happens in front of you; there’s no hiding,” Foley added. “Peter Sellers had hours in makeup between scenes, but Steve has seconds.”

A satire that still bites

Despite its Cold War setting, Dr. Strangelove remains frighteningly relevant. The idea of a nuclear catastrophe triggered by human error is as plausible now as it was in 1964. “What makes the story so timeless is that it’s about people trying to act clever to cover up their stupidity — and making things worse,” Iannucci noted.

Foley agreed, adding, “We wanted to make something that honours the film but also speaks to today. People who know the film will recognise their favourite moments, but they’ll also get a whole new experience.”

Dr. Strangelove runs at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre until 22 February 2025. Tickets are available now via Ticketmaster.