10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse

10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse ...  a Comedy Play written by Don Zoldis and staged by the first year BTEC Performing Arts (Acting) Class from St John Rigby College, Gathurst Road, Orrell on Monday, 1st December 2025

Wow... when I saw the title I thought ‘what’.... but having now seen it ... I’m still thinking ‘what’!  But... ‘WHAT’ was obvious from the off, was the effort, enthusiasm and comradery that emanated from that stage throughout the entire performance... well done one and all!

Synopsis .... when zombies attack, a ragtag group of survivors are thrown into a chaotic fight for their lives! Enter Jimmy, Christy, Susan, and Sam: four not-so-qualified heroes who stumble through ten outrageous methods to survive the zombie apocalypse. As they try sacrificing friends, weaponizing song and dance, and even leaving the planet, each new promising idea keeps coming up short. With a cheeky score, sarcastic narrators, and undead mayhem, this hilarious story turns the end of the world into a show-stopping, brain-eating, laugh-out-loud adventure!

Production Notes ... this performance was the first public performance of this light hearted comedy by the students from St John Rigby.  The performance was part of their formal examination and was being recorded as such for assessment purposes.     

The Cast ... a cast of thirteen took to the stage... most of whom were playing multiple roles in the various scenes described as Methods... (these methods were numbered 1 to 10) ... each method had a ‘title’
1. Sacrifice the Weak.  2. Trick the Zombies.  3. Overwhelming Firepower.   4. Join the Zombies.
5. Raise Genetically Modified Killer Dogs, which can attack and destroy Zombies.   6. Kung Fu.
7. Reason with the Zombies.  8. Romance the Zombies.  9. Run Really Fast.   10. Leave the Planet.
The production was led throughout by two Narrators: Ben Whitter & Scarlett Glanfield. 
The ensemble included Teegan McNealy (who also played ‘Girl’) and Caitlin Collins-Rodgers (who also played Nanna), Joshua Statter-Brown, Kaitlyn McCallister, Charlotte Grimshaw, Chloe Lawson, Morgan Littler, Tyler Hunter, Emma Yates, Tasnim Khatoumani and Fay Greenall... they all took the roles of ‘Jimmy’, ‘Sam’, ‘Christy’ and ‘Susan’ in the various scenes (i.e. Methods)

This really was a difficult one to start suggesting favourites, simply because of the number of characters created and the short time they performed them... but what was obvious, and mentioned above was the way that the cast obviously bonded over this and the way that they all worked together for the good of the whole.  This truly was a ‘team effort’ in every sense of the phrase and the success of the production was down to just that and the comradery that was evident throughout and at the finale!

I’m never one to sit on the fence ... so I’m going to ‘stick the old neck out’ and highlight the two stand out characters for me and they were the two Narrators... Ben Whitter & Scarlett Glanfield.
I’d seen both actors before when I attended St John Rigby College to watch ‘The Lightning Thief’, Ben on that occasion playing the lead – Percy Jackson.  But these were two totally different characters which they characterised really well.  To do the job of a ‘narrator’ well, you really do need to have great diction, articulation and the ability to tell a story whilst keeping your audience informed of what is going on or what is to come... and in this production, that was even more important than in most productions and these two did this ever so well!  They conversed / interacted between themselves ever so well whilst telling the stories that need to be told with great aplomb. Loved the humour that was obviously written into the piece... but their delivery, mannerisms, facial expressions all add to that story .... be very proud you two, great job!

The Ensemble... Teegan, (who also played ‘Girl’), Caitlin (who also played ‘Nanna’), Joshua, Kaitlyn, Charlotte, Chloe, Morgan, Tyler, Emma, Tasnim and Fay always looked engaged, involved and up for the challenges that lay ahead. I think I’m right in suggesting that they all played at least a couple of the characters ... ‘Jimmy’, ‘Sam’, ‘Christy’ or ‘Susan’ who are involved in all the scenes/methods.  It was difficult to identify at the time who was playing which part, simply because the scenes were short and the changes very quick and slick!  Loved the ‘inspiration speech’ ... delivered by Teegan McNealy during Method 3 ...great diction, kept us interested throughout!
i) Loved the music interludes, ‘Who Let the Dogs Out’ and 'Kung Fu Fighting’ ... well introduced!
ii) Loved the slap ... on Ben by Teegan... proper real, slapped with feeling without doubt!
Finally.... please, if I haven’t ‘highlighted’ you in these paragraphs, please don’t think you weren’t noticed, because you were! As previously stated, this was very much a ‘team effort’ ...  you each had parts to play and you played them well, you were always involved adding to each scene!

There were so many great ‘one liners’ and if I'm honest, I did ran out of time and space trying to write them all down... but here are just a few favourites...
- Loved Ben ‘s line ... ‘I don’t have a girlfriend, but I’ll be taking applications after the show’ 
- Another from Ben ... ‘Never trust the narrators, we’re like the media’
- Caitlin ... ‘Don’t care if Zombie’s take over the town or even when they hurt my sister and my mum... BUT this got personal when they messed with my gerbil’ (paraphrased)
- ‘What you wearing? Ben to Scarlett, Scarlett’s reply ... ‘Don’t ask, I thought this was Grease!’

Constructive Advice... ‘Spoken Word/Diction’ – I think I mentioned this in my last review, it’s not criticism, purely advice that should never be forgotten!  Your audience needs to hear and understand every word spoken or sung, even those on Row Z.  Your diction was generally good throughout and from some individuals impressive... but, even if you’ve got the odd line here and there...  it’s vital that your audience hears/understands everything you say! Remember to project to that back wall! Plus, if you’re like me... I’m always overjoyed when I know my lines – but knowing them without adding some ‘light and shade’ never works... emotion/articulation/accentuation is vital if you’re to give life to the script!

Thank you so much for inviting me...  this was another ‘step’ into the unknown, but a truly great step!  Thanks as always for your welcome ... well done to everyone involved!

Stay safe, Keep well
Stronger Together

Jim Briscoe ...
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

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