After the End, written by Dennis Kelly, opens with the revelation that a nuclear bomb has gone off and everyone except the two characters in the play, Mark and Louise, are likely dead. Luckily, Mark, played by Tom Giles, has a nuclear fallout shelter in his garden which is kept well stocked in case of such a situation arising. Louise, played by Sarah Palmer, wakes up in the shelter to find herself trapped with Mark, who rescued her from the explosion. Throughout the course of the play, these two characters must learn to cope with each other and come to terms with the situation that they find themselves in.
Dennis Kelly has written for both stage and screen, with renowned plays such as Love and Money and Matilda the Musical to his name, as well as screenwriting credits for comedy shows such as Pulling. Directed by Flora Ogilvy and produced by Kate Wilson, After the End is on at the Drama Barn this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are £3.50 on Friday, £4 on Saturday and Sunday for DramaSoc members and £5 for non-members.
Having attended last night’s performance, I cannot recommend catching one of the remaining two any more. Being able to hold the audience’s attention in such an all encompassing manner for two hours is a real achievement and one which highlights the play’s production values and the consummate acting of Giles and Palmer.