Top Story - An Apocalyptic Comedy

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by Bastion Harrison (subscribe)

Freelance writer and poet from London; if you would like to read my poetry, please check out my book, 'Poems on the Page', available from goo.gl/Ta4oAX.

Event: 05/01/2013 - 02/02/2013

It's The End Of The World: Let's Play Chess

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There have been numerous Armageddon stories over the centuries, from the 1898 science fiction novel, War of The Worlds by H.G. Wells to the Terminator films & Sarah Connor Chronicles television series. There have also been disaster movies like The Day After Tomorrow.

Most of these stories, however, are - understandably - shown from a wide perspective; I.E. we see how the world reacts to the situation. Sure there is a focus on one main protagonist, but we always see the wider impact.

In his new theatre production, Top Story, however, the writer, Sebastian Michel is a lot more intimate. Top Story is a black comedy about a meteor heading for Los Angels. But instead of focussing on characters in LA, Michel tells the story from the point of view of two Londoners watching the news.

The young men are obviously scared, but with only seven days before they die, the two friends contemplate life by changing the rules of universal games such as chess. Rather than being an action packed story with a hero to save the day, Michel takes a more philosophical, soul-searching approach to this end of the world play.

Hopefully we will all still be around to see it. The production begins on the 5th of January at The Old Vic Tunnels in London, and runs until the 2nd February at 7.45pm Monday - Saturday. Tickets are £15, although there is a reduced price for the first night.