"THE End of the World Quiz waits for no man, literally. Onwards ever onwards to our fiery decline. Round Three…”
And that in a nutshell is The Last Quiz Night on Earth.
Presented by Theatr Clwyd but staged in the Burntwood pub in Drury, the show seamlessly blends a pub quiz with a theatre performance.
MORE - Wrexham theatre to reopen doors after two years
The play takes place in the final hours before the end of the world.
Theatr Clwyd described it, saying: "It’s the final countdown. Landlady Kathy invites you to the last quiz night on earth with Quizmaster Rav. He’s the host with the most. But with time ticking, some unexpected guests turn up out of the blue. Bobby wants to settle old scores and Fran wants one last shot at love. Expect the unexpected to the bitter end."
Despite the end of the world premise, the drama here is of the human variety. Sometimes funny, sometimes heart-wrenching, but delivered with aplomb by the cast of four.
For the show at the Burntwood, every seat was taken. Some were regular theatregoers, but many were pub regulars wanting to try something different.
The play and quiz mash up is a clever, distinctly British, conceit that works perfectly. It brings the audience right into the heart of drama and make is easy to empathise with the characters as secrets are revealed and issues from the past are brought into the light as the countdown continues.
To say Matthew Khan as Rav was the stand out performer is perhaps a little unfair, as each performer plays their part with a seeming effortlessness that makes you feel these are real life dramas unfolding between and during questions on general knowledge and flags of the world.
The show was two hours of perfect entertainment. A quiz and a show with beer on tap. And at what other performance would they hold back the opening of the show so you and your table-mates can have burgers and chunky chips brought to their seats?
I won't say more for fear of spoilers as Box of Trick may bring the pre-apocalyptic comedy to a pub near you in the future.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here