Imagine a massive asteroid is hurtling towards earth. Life as we know it will cease shortly. So how would you spend your last hours? Obviously down the boozer, taking part in a pub quiz!
That’s the premise of The Last Quiz Night on Earth, Alison Carr’s comedy drama which encourages the audience to take part in a quiz in the appropriately named Four Horsemen pub.
It’s probably one of the most immersive pieces of theatre you’ll encounter: it depends for some of its success on audience members getting involved in the quiz. There’s also good interaction as Kathy, a jovial but no-nonsense landlady played adroitly by Lisa Gorgin, welcomes everyone into her domain.
The problem is the quiz itself takes so long that the first half drags and the cast’s enthusiasm is swamped as teams of quizzers in the audience discuss their answers, write them down, swap papers and mark one another’s efforts.
The second half is totally different as Carr reveals the real reason why the protagonists are at the pub. There is intensity, tension and pathos as layers of jealousy, resentment and bitterness are exposed. Carr turns the quartet into multi-faceted characters whose explanations for their life-changing decisions are dissected.
The evening begins with Kathy, wearing a striped jumpsuit and red fur jacket, mildly clashing with question master Rav. She hopes his end-of-the-world quiz won’t be as “obscure” as his usual competitions.
Ayan Philip revels in the role of Rav, the showman who relishes his time in the spotlight yet can be charmingly annoying as he suavely poses question after question.
The action moves up a gear with the introduction of Sam Redford as Bobby, Kathy’s brother whom she hasn’t seen for 20 years, and Pria Kalsi as nervy, immature Fran who reveals her love for Rav even though they haven’t seen each other since they left school a decade ago.
After the interval, the drama increases, especially during the scenes in which two characters share with each other their regrets and fears—and not just about the world ending.
Gorgin and Redford work well together when they discuss how they reacted differently to being brought up in the Four Horsemen by their workaholic father. Carr doesn’t hold back on maintaining that family members can respond in hugely different ways.
Philip and Kalsi show similar chemistry. Rav discloses doubts about his sexuality and welcomes Fran’s approaches because no one has ever said they love him. Fran has also been denied a meaningful relationship which she craves.
Despite that, the final round of the quiz, aptly about space, interrupts the action. Thankfully, the actors’ diligence and commitment to the play put it back on track.
Director Anna Marsland makes the most of the tautness of Carr’s script in the second half. But the first act could be tightened up, and there could also be a stronger depiction of impending doom. Having said that, the ending is suitably dramatic.
If you love pub quizzes, you’ll enjoy The Last Quiz Night on Earth. If you’re not a fan, you’ll have to put up with five rounds of questions before experiencing the real drama of this piece. It’s just about worth it.