The Last Quiz Night on Earth

The Last Quiz Night on Earth was a great choice by Skipton Little Theatre for a bit of summer fun. The premise is that an asteroid is about to crash into earth and destroy it, but Kathy at the ‘Four Horsemen’ pub decides that the best strategy is to carry on regardless, and so we are welcomed to stay for her final quiz. And that’s exactly what we do. The whole play is punctuated with questions and answers. I only lost on the tie break!

Sue Hartley is totally convincing as Kathy the landlady. Her natural approach right from the opening line really makes us feel as if we are in her pub for a good time, and the last time. Displaying a wonderfully broad accent, she is the perfect host. Kathy is joined by Rav, the quiz master. Will Borrows plays this part with a certain flamboyance, underlaid with vulnerability. So, it is quite a surprise when, part way through Act One, his long-lost girlfriend from high school turns up, to kiss him before the world ends.

Joanne Whistler plays unrequited love, then betrayal very well when she discovers that the man she has longed for all these years is actually gay. There are some very amusing scenes between Rav, Fran and Kathy. But they also remind us of an important message: don’t leave it too late to say what you feel. Indeed, this amusing little piece of theatre is constantly underpinned by some important messages about relationships.

Kathy’s brother, Bobby, also tries to make things right before it is too late. Dale Chadwick had some really funny lines, which he put over well, but there were a few prompts to mar the flow. Sadly, these two warring siblings are still arguing about things rooted in childhood with only minutes left to go, but finally everyone comes together as they are blasted into the cosmos.

The set gave us an authentic British pub, thanks to an extensive team of helpers. Well done Philip Smith and Roxanne Williams on pulling together a really unusual and entertaining night of theatre.

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