Review: Getting a Drink at the End of the World, Etcetera Theatre

The premise of “the end of the world” is a much-used device, whether it be highlighting just how awful humanity is, or showing the power of love in those feared final moments. I’m still scarred by the 2021 film Don’t Look Up and how close to reality it felt; we really would all die because billionaires are fighting over the minerals in a comet hurtling towards Earth. So, Getting a Drink at the End of the World sparked my curiosity – how would this play interpret the coming apocalypse?

The play begins with a news bulletin informing us that in seven months, a meteor will hit Earth, a world-ending event. We then meet Leo and Michelle, who are working in a cocktail bar during those final seven months. The first question might be why on earth are they staying there, with so little time left? And it’s a question that’s not really answered. Michelle is Leo’s new boss, and they quite quickly become lovers, with her questioning if she’s exploiting her position, whereas Leo doesn’t seem to mind. And that’s the extent of the plot; they don’t seem entirely bothered about the incoming apocalypse. There’s a tragic moment for Leo that feels trivialised, but apart from that, it feels like a weak love story against the seemingly forgotten backdrop of total destruction.

There are hints of clever writing, with news bulletins suggesting we’re in a not-too-distant future where AI gains autonomy and demands pay. These moments are few and far between, and with development, could make the play much more interesting.

Perhaps the biggest issue is that there is not much chemistry between the two leads. Jesse Lamb plays the role of Leo with an air of disdain that works for the bored bartender, but doesn’t seem to develop when he’s falling madly in love. Michelle appears flustered and strangely bothered by her life plan given the situation, and Inês Drumond’s performance fails to make it particularly believable. They lack chemistry, and despite some impressive acrobatics to demonstrate their fiery relationship, the dialogue doesn’t feel believable.

Fringe productions have small sets, and audiences need to use their imagination a fair amount to transport themselves from a stuffy pub theatre to a cocktail bar, yet it felt like more could have been done by the actors to give the illusion that it was real. They constantly refer to dwindling supplies, but never seem to be open. Even just a background sound of a bar would have lifted the illusion.

As the 45-minute play hurtles through seven months, the sense of jeopardy never really increases, and this makes it hard to believe in the story. A deep conversation towards the end feels like it could have been more intense, given the situation. Or perhaps we could have seen a twist. Will this romance really last if somehow NASA manage to destroy the meteor and they’re all saved? It’s remarkable how unbothered they seem by impending death. But maybe that’s the state you reach after seven months, let’s hope we never find out.

Read more about this show in our interview here.

Written and directed by Daisy Hills
Produced by Cried Wolf Productions

Getting a Drink a the End of the World has completed its run at Camden Fringe.