As doomsday approaches, pub owner Kathy (Lisa Gorgin) and bartender Rav (Ayan Philip) promise to host one last pub quiz for you, the audience. That is, until they are confronted by figures from their past. Kathy’s estranged brother Bobby (Sam Redford) barges in, demanding she leave to seek refuge elsewhere. Meanwhile, Fran (Pria Kalsi), driven by nostalgia for her "one that got away" teenage romance — intensified by years of social media stalking — navigates the chaos of the streets with a stolen bicycle to confess her love for Rav. These parallel storylines, accompanied by long-awaited revelations, offered intriguing prospects. Alas, the quiz had to go on.
The set design of this charming vintage-style pub, adorned with carefully curated knickknacks and twinkling multicoloured lights, was a visual treat. The opening music and likeable characters only drew me in further. However, as the show unfolded, I gradually realised I was participating in a full quiz night and only watching half a story. The first section was a chaotic back-and-forth between the character-driven drama and the quiz questions, although the latter seemed to dominate. The multiple transitions between the two segments felt awkward and rushed, making it hard to become fully immersed in our cast.
The quiz questions were also bog-standard, lacking any sense of Kathy and Rav’s deep passion for the pub or the looming fate of humanity. Although tension would build between characters, it was often sliced through by subpar humour. The jokes arrived too quickly, dismissing the emotional weight of key moments. I found myself wishing they had leaned into the tension a little longer. Members of the audience were laughing along, so perhaps the humour was just not to my taste. The melodic singing scenes did add a few noteworthy comedic moments.
The acting and costumes were delightful. Kathy with her voluminous hair and sparkly jumpsuit reminded me of the "Donna and the Dynamos" girl group from the hit movie “Mamma Mia!”. Her bold look complemented her charisma and effortless command of the crowd’s attention. Meanwhile, Fran’s every word and action left me exasperated — a testament to her captivating performance.
After the intermission, the narrative became the focal point, and the show rapidly improved. Themes of family dynamics and finding the courage to live your truth were explored. The questions we had been working on culminated in the finale to reinforce the show's central message: whether or not life followed a "successful trajectory," simply living through it is enough. I wish there had been more time to delve deeper into these themes — perhaps the questions should have been woven directly into the narrative.
While the pub quiz element overshadowed the narrative, the second half gave us glimpses of the characters’ inner struggles. With a more balanced structure and greater emphasis on the storyline from the start, this production could have realised its full potential.
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