Hitchhiker's Cast To Reunite For Performance After 30 Years

London: The original cast members of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy are to be reunited for a special live performance to mark the 30th anniversary of the show's first radio broadcast.

Extracts from the cult sci-fi smash will follow a lecture by renowned psychologist Steven Pinker, entitled "The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature," at this year’s Douglas Adams Memorial Lecture. A rare model created by Jim Henson's Creature Workshop for the recent film adaptation of Hitchhiker's will also be auctioned on the night.

Author, dramatist and musician, Douglas Adams died unexpectedly in 2001 at the age of 49. The memorial lectures continue to explore themes in which he was interested, and offer an opportunity for the public to support the causes to which he was so dedicated.

His groundbreaking satirical comedy Hitchhiker's premiered on BBC Radio 4 on March 8th 1978.

Artists hoping to take part in this year's performance include: Simon Jones as Arthur Dent, Geoffrey McGivern as Ford Prefect, Mark Wing Davey as Zaphod Beeblebrox, Susan Sheridan as Trillian, Roger Gregg as Eddie, Stephen Moore as Marvin The Paranoid Android, with a 'Very Special Guest' as the Voice of The Book.

The sixth annual memorial lecture, supported by the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science and Ed Victor Ltd and held on Wednesday March 12th 7.30pm at the Royal Geographical Society, London, will be in aid of two of Adams' favourite charities — Save the Rhino and The Environmental Investigation Agency.

A spokesperson said: "Hitchhiker's was the funniest and most thought-provoking science fiction comedy ever. This live 30th anniversary performance of script material from the series reunites original cast members who worked on all the 'phases' of Hitchhiker's, from Primary to Quintessential." "This is a celebration of all that was unique and astonishing about Douglas Adams' talent, in aid of his favourite causes, and distills the essence of his greatest creation into a live event, performed on stage with music and sound effects as if a classic audience radio recording."

Want to have your own personal Vogon?

On the night there'll be a fantastic opportunity to get your hands on one of the galaxy's ugliest, most miserable and uncivil servants.

A very collectable handcrafted bronze statue of the Vogon character, Commander Kwaltz, will be available for auction and via telephone auction at the event. The scale statue standing 18cm tall and weighing over 6kg, was created by Jamie Courtier for Henson's workshop and is inscribed with the immortal words,"Resistance is useless", upon the request of the film's director, Garth Jennings.

Tickets for the evening cost £12 with proceeds going to the two charities.

If you are unable to attend the event then we are happy to accept absentee bids - to download a bidding form or book online please visit www.savetherhino.org or contact Fiona at Save the Rhino 0207 357 7474.