THEATRE REVIEW: ‘Alternative and memorable’, the world ends with a pub quiz at the Dylan Thomas Theatre

Alison Carr’s The Last Quiz Night On Earth turns the Dylan Thomas Theatre into a pub with an asteroid on the way, and reviewer Jonathan Marshall finds a strong cast steering an interactive night that’s great fun, even if the plot beneath the quiz sheets stays thin.

The Dylan Thomas Theatre becomes The Four Horsemen pub, which is a fitting name seeing as an asteroid is about to hit earth!

In their latest production, Swansea Little Theatre offer a pub quiz like no other. For proud quizmaster Ray (an endearing Dylan Fairbairn) it’s business as usual. Nothing will get in the way of him and his questions. That is until former flame Fran (Josie Carroll) arrives on the scene.

Landlord Kevin (John Welch) is also resigned to his impending doom and is happy to keep the pub open as he attempts to treat it like any other night. He too has a visit from the past in the form of estranged sister Bobby (tonight played by Vicky Mann with director Lianne Halliday performing on Saturday). In between quiz questions, answers are sought as the four try to build any broken bridges before it’s too late.

Swansea Little Theatre should be commended for offering such a diverse programme and never sticking in their comfort zone. From The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime and Plaza Suite to The Last Quiz Night on Earth they cater to a wide audience demographic and guarantee something completely different for each visit.

This play is a tricky one. With members of the wider company seated at on stage tables and constant direct address with the audience, who become punters, there is a welcome sense of intimacy and inclusion. Quiz sheets are handed out and split into five rounds. After each we pass our sheets to the next team and mark each other’s answers. This brings with it somewhat of a novelty factor, however there are times when the audience are too distracted to notice what is occurring on stage. Certain dialogue is easily missed, and we must remind ourselves we are in fact watching a play and not participating in an authentic pub quiz.

This piles the pressure on the actors. They need to achieve that balance of creating a laid-back easy atmosphere among the audience while also remaining in character and driving the narrative forwards. Fortunately, under Halliday’s direction, the cast capably steer us through the evening.

Fairbairn exhibits excellent comedic timing and effortlessly commands our attention. The actor exudes a warm stage presence and is perfectly believable as the quiz master. Carroll conveys convincing nervous energy, both related to the asteroid that’s about to wipe them out as well as her feelings surrounding Ray.

Welch again enjoys an easy comradery both with the audience and his fellow cast members. It’s a very natural performance, which adds to the realism of the piece. Despite the far-fetched premise, the show is grounded in reality with real and relatable human drama at its heart. This comes to the fore with Bobby and Kevin’s reunion, which unearths long buried feelings about one another, and honest evaluations of how their lives have turned out. Mann is also very natural in the role and mines as much comedy out of it as possible to complement the serious subject matter.

The set also adds to the realism with The Pump House kindly assisting with the staging and Hippos Music Bar lending stools. Callum Casey’s lighting amps up the drama appropriately with sound by Alex White contributing to the increasingly foreboding atmosphere.

It’s a unique play that relies on a strong cast with assured direction to prevent it from feeling too gimmicky. While the interactive quiz aspect is a great deal of fun, it does mean less time is permitted to explore the characters and their stories. Although layers are gradually peeled back, we never quite get to the crux of the four individuals, and one could argue that beneath the play’s concept lies little in the way of plot.

It somehow works, however, and certainly guarantees us a very alternative and memorable evening out. Catch it before it closes on Saturday. Next up in October: Under Milk Wood.

The Last Quiz Night On Earth is at the Dylan Thomas Theatre from Wednesday 12 to Saturday 15 August at 7.30pm. Tickets can be purchased on the theatre’s website or by calling the box office on 01792 473238.

Author

Jonathan Marshall