Review: Flat Earthers, Lion and Unicorn Theatre

I do enjoy a good conspiracy theory. I have to admit a passing admiration for those committed enough to follow them with absolute certainty. And it’s with that certainty that Greg (Jamie Kenna) runs his small Flat Earthers group in that hotbed of rebellion that is Brighton.

Greg’s passion is perhaps not quite matched by group member Kevin (John Black), who seems slightly more interested in the whereabouts of Sophie (Valerie Antwi) than he is in Greg’s most recent YouTube video – something to do with ancient societies and, obviously, Flat Earth evidence. As for Sophie, she is as passionate about their cause as Greg but with much greater dreams of more than their little group in coastal Brighton can ever offer her.

It’s a classic set up, three very different characters all thrown together by a single common thread, without which they would likely not even be passing acquaintances. But here they are, together in the gastropub discussing their latest research and theories and just what they should tell the Channel 5 TV crew who are coming to see them on Saturday.

What Flat Earthers avoids well is mocking its characters. Instead, writer and director James Callàs Ball sets out to delve into what it is that brings such obviously different people togetherfor something that most dismiss as lunacy. It attempts to portray the group’s members as actually rather normal; Kevin with his new boring job and dreams of going on holiday, Sophie as intelligent and diligent, and Greg as that slightly obsessive uncle you try to avoid at family gatherings. But here all are portrayed as people we could all know, all clearly seeking out companionship and some purpose within their lives, maybe just for differing reasons.

Callàs Ball has also clearly done his research into this intriguing conspiracy theory (and there’s plenty to delve deep into if you are that way inclined!). The language used is thoughtfully considered, adding plenty of gentle humour to proceedings; Greg’s disgust at Kevin’s mention of flying “round” the world makes it clear just how ingrained his belief is that the world is not at all round. And don’t even think to mention gravity to him!

But it’s this effort to combine the two sides of the play that means it doesn’t quite gel together fully. On one side is the humour of the conspiracy and its believers’ search for proof that they are the only ones who really know the truth, whilst on the other side is each character’s quest for a purpose and to find their clan. It’s a noble effort to try to get us to care for such people but it never quite happens. Instead, there’s a feeling that as soon as the three are out of sight we will have forgotten all about them. Perhaps the attempt to add complexity to three very different characters as well as embed plenty of Flat Earth talk is just a little more than can be fitted into a 70-minute runtime.

All three actors though do everything they can to bring their characters to life. Kenna flirts between obsessive lunatic and sorrowful husband wonderfully as he laments about his wife’s non-belief in something he is so passionate about, whilst Black gives plenty of offended looks at every jibe made at his expense. Antim is perhaps the most fleshed out, giving her Sophie intelligence even if it’s rather misplaced, as well as a desire to explore the world beyond the Brighton seafront, however flat it may turn out to be!

Flat Earthers doesn’t quite reach as far to the edges of the world as it wants to, but it does offer up some soft humour, all without it being at the expense of its characters, as it attempts to show that even the most ardent conspiracy theorists can still be like everyone else, just searching for clarity and meaning in a world we don’t always fully understand.

Written and directed by James Callàs Ball
Set design by Hardy Gru

Flat Earthers plays at Lion and Unicorn Theatre until Saturday 20 December.