“an extremely entertaining and insightful piece of theatre that breaks the stereotypes of sci-fi plays.”
Boom by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb was a fantastic surrealist production that combined the bizarre with the hilarious. Directed by Katherine Nesbitt, this apocalyptic drama was funny and engaging but also carried some insightful observations of human behaviour and was filled with intrigue and twists. Jules the protagonist places an internet advert for ‘sex to change the course of the world’ an advert that is answered by a young student called Jo. It quickly emerges that Jules is in fact gay and the advert was meant in a far more literal sense than expected. Jules, a marine biologist has discovered that an apocalypse is nigh and has invited Jo to his bunker to survive and procreate with him.
The whole cast was fabulous delivering impressive, high energy performances. Will Merrick’s performance was sensitive and entertaining in his portrayal of the awkward, well-meaning Jules and Nicole Sawyerr played the spunky, stubborn character of Jo with a relatable frustration. Mandi Symonds provided a hilarious and energetic performance as Barbara and really drew the audience into her story bringing even more excitement and humour to the stage.
The set, by designer Nicole Blackwell, added to the intrigue of the story with a variety of bizarre objects. A large yellow door was in the middle of the stage with a fish tank, a strange chair with levers all over it, a chest of drawers, ipod speakers and a stool. As the narrative unfolded all these items became relevant to the story right until the climax at the end of the play. The costume was colourful and intriguing, like the narrative.
Boom provides impressive, impactful performances. Combined with an excellent creative team and exceptional writing, the result is in an extremely entertaining and insightful piece of theatre that breaks the stereotypes of sci-fi plays.
Casting has been announced for the UK premiere of popular American comedy, Boom.
Will Merrick (Skins, Poldark, The Rack Pack, The Libertine) will play Jules.
Nicole Sawyerr who recently graduated from ArtsEd will play Jo.
Mandi Symonds (accomplished stage and TV actress most recently in 1984) will play Barbara
2nd – 26th August 2017
Written in 2008 and premiering at the Ars Nova Theater in New York, Peter Sinn Nachtrieb’s comedy BOOM quickly became the most produced play in the US between 2009 – 2010 and until now, has never before been professionally staged in the UK.
Jules, a marine biologist, places a personals ad offering “sex to change the course of the world”. Jo replies and comes to Jules’ lab expecting a hot night of no strings sex. But this is no casual encounter, it has evolutionary significance and the future of the human race hangs in the balance!
What will be their fate?
What is ours?
What’s with the fish tank? And who’s the woman in the corner?
Described as “a grandly whacked-out apocalypse fantasy” by The Washington Post, BOOM is a comedy about sex, the end of the world and tropical fish and Announcement Productions and Theatre 503 are proud to finally bring the play to UK audiences for the first time this August.
