Catching Comets Wardrobe Theatre Bristol
One-person show, Catching Comets, manages to tell two stories at the same time in this multi-dimensional genre mashup.
We have a disaster movie about falling in love and a rom-com about the end of the world.
Toby recounts his story of the time he saw a comet shooting towards Earth. When nobody takes his concern seriously, he transforms into a full-blown action hero on a fantasy mission to protect the world.
Sounding like every action movie we re-watched since the 80s and 90s out of boredom on Netflix through lockdown, Toby comes complete with dark glasses, helicopters and a ‘lust for all things physical’. However, interrupting the action is a story of falling in love, vulnerability and coping with emotions, something that can’t be escaped through faux bravado.
This piece of new writing which blends theatre and cinematic license sounds like an absolute blast.
“The show came about largely in response to the trend of rebooting and remaking big Hollywood action blockbusters,” writer Piers Black explains. “For a lot of people, the thrill that comes with that is re-living the moments of wonder and excitement from your childhood again. But, there was something quite striking about re-visiting a lot of the characters from my childhood. A lot of them are terrible role models.
“The world is a very different place and our attitudes and tolerance for some of the behaviour they display has moved on a long way. For a lot of young men, those people were their idols and who they wanted to be like when they grew up. The play is asking how we’re meant to be brave today if all our ideas of bravery come from this dated and unachievable source? What does strength look like for anyone who doesn’t have a six pack? And how can we fill a theatre show with a load of cinematic action pastiches but still give it a real heart?”
Ransack Theatre are collaborating with Beyond Equality, a charity aiming to work with boys and men to create gender equality, inclusive communities and healthier relationships.
Catching Comets has a run time of 75 minutes and age recommendation of 12 years upwards. Contains some strong language and flashing lights.
It will be at the Wardrobe Theatre in Bristol from 24 – 26 March 2022.
To book Bristol tickets, visit: https://thewardrobetheatre.com/livetheatre/catching-comets/
Cast
Alastair Michael
Creatives
Writer& Director Piers Black
Movement Director Chi-San Howard
Movement Associate Laura Dredger
Set & Costume Designer Natalie Johnson
Lighting Designer Matt Leventhall
Sound Designer Mark Harris
Associate Producer Grace Dickson
Production Manager Joshua Baker
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