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There’s something quintessentially British about a pub quiz. An institution bringing together people from all walks of life in the name of trivia, competition, and, let’s be honest, pint or two. But what happens when that communal tradition meets impending doom? Alison Carr’s The Last Quiz Night on Earth, directed by Anna Marsland, takes this concept to its most extreme setting – the night a meteor is set to wipe out humanity. The result? A sharp, funny, and unexpectedly moving exploration of how we face the inevitable.
Let’s Dance by David Bowie blares from the jukebox while an emergency government broadcast crackles over the radio, immediately establishing a darkly comic tone. The Four Horsemen pub – an apt name, given the circumstances – becomes the setting for what might be the final quiz night in history. Lisa Gorgin’s Kathy, the ever-enthusiastic landlady, is determined to go out with a bang, keeping spirits high and the drinks flowing while dressed to the nines in a sparkly jumpsuit. Meanwhile, her quizmaster, played by Ayan Philip as the camp and committed Rav, attempts to maintain order as the night unfolds. His dry wit and eccentric energy makes him instantly loveable, not to mention his dedication to the craft of quizzing, complete with music clues, flamboyant costumes and, of course, some pretty solid questions, too.
The interactive nature of the play is unlike anything I’ve seen before. Immediately immersive, each member of the audience is given a quiz sheet containing a picture round, as well as five rounds to take part in throughout the night – there’s even a cash prize for the best quiz name. But the quiz itself isn’t just a gimmick (fun as it may be to participate and ponder the answers) but it drives the story forward, revealing character relations as the night is interrupted by the likes of Bobby (Sam Redford) and Fran (Pria Kalsi),
Throughout the evening, it becomes clear that everyone has something left unsaid. Tensions bubble and confessions are made as the end of the world draws near. The script strikes a balance between its humour and more poignant moments as Carr’s writing manages to showcase the thoughts, fears and regrets of all four characters in such a short space of time. Meanwhile, Marsland’s direction ensures the pacing never lags, and the audience aren’t kept too long waiting for the answers so they can move on to the next round (some of us took this quiz pretty seriously, you know).
But what is standout about this show is its eerie timeliness. You see, The Last Quiz Night On Earth was first performed in February 2020, just weeks before Covid-19 would soon put all pub quizzes – both real and theatrical – on hold. And watching it now, in a post-pandemic world that saw pubs close during lockdowns and quizzes held over Zoom meetings, its themes hit even harder. One could argue it’s more relatable now than ever.
In all, The Last Quiz Night on Earth is a hilarious and heartfelt play that explores how we cope with the inevitable, but I particularly loved how fun, fresh and playful it was, with every single person in the crowd fully invested until the very end. And I suppose if we do ever find ourselves staring down the end of the world, maybe a pub quiz isn’t the worst way to spend it. And as I walked back to my car at the end of the night, I could hear the answers to their weekly quiz being read out over the microphone and couldn’t help but smile.
The Last Quiz Night on Earth runs at the New Vic Theatre until March 1, you can buy your tickets here.
