Nestled in the verdant locale of Muswell Hill, a vibrant suburb in North London, the quaint establishment Cha Cha Cha is more than just your average vintage store. Co-owned by childhood friends Ruth and Megan, this shop is a haven for those seeking relics of yesteryear. Describing their inventory as “anything we can get our hands on that’s from the past,” the duo boasts a collection that reflects nostalgia and creativity. Set against a backdrop of leafy streets, the shop embodies a quirky charm, a fitting stage for the whimsical narrative that unfolds.
The plot thickens when the two women stumble upon an old dodgem car discarded outside their shop. What seems like a junkyard find quickly takes a turn toward the extraordinary when they discover that it functions as a time machine. This twist opens the floodgates to a universe of adventures as Ruth and Megan embark on an extraordinary quest to collect genuine antiques from different historical contexts. Their initial foray into time travel sets the stage for a series of events that blend laughter, ingenuity, and a hint of chaos.
As their burgeoning business experiences unexpected success over the next six years, peculiar weather patterns begin to unfold, hinting that their meddling with time is disrupting the natural order. This anomaly attracts the attention of a local group of quirky inventors known as the Technology Engineering Scientific Thought and Innovation Society, or T.E.S.T.I.S. This society, comprised of a colorful array of eccentric characters, seeks the duo’s assistance to address the time-gone-wrong situation.
Among the society’s members are the sidelined founders, Valerie and Ralph, who come laden with their own traumas stemming from a disastrous live television incident decades earlier. Their narrative adds a layer of depth, transforming the plot from a mere comedy into an exploration of redemption and second chances. The contrasting characters of the society—from the humorously overzealous chair Martin to the beleaguered inventor Peter—flesh out a rich tableau of intellectual absurdity and playful rivalry.
Despite receiving warnings from Ralph about the dangers of their time machine, Ruth and Megan find themselves drawn back into its complexities. Desperation strikes when eviction looms, leading them to inadvertently open a portal to The Unreason, a chaotic realm where lost items and people lurk. Here, the bizarre nature of their adventures reaches a crescendo, filled with comical encounters and a clash of dimensions which seemingly echoes the fantastical works of creators like Terry Gilliam and Tim Burton.
Created by Chris Reading alongside his sisters, the narrative of “Time Travel Is Dangerous” embodies an unwavering spirit of lightheartedness amid its fantastical premise. The storyline, while rooted in the absurdity of interdimensional travels, compels one to unravel its layers resembling a fantastical tapestry. By weaving together humor with poignant moments of self-discovery, the characters remind us that the bizarre, when approached with a sense of whimsy, can lead to fulfilling adventures. As Ruth and Megan navigate their extraordinary journey, it beckons the audience to reflect on the beauty of embracing the unexpected.