The Apocalypse Comes at 6pm.
Poster Design: Harriet Yakub
SYNOPSIS:
“The apocalypse is not necessarily a global catastrophe, horsemen, trumpeting angels, fire and brimstone. Sometimes the end of the world is a very personal, private and everyday thing. It comes at that hour of early autumn dusk, at that minute when the light has already gone, but the darkness has not yet fallen. The stories here take place in that one long minute.
In the late October, a town is paralyzed under the threat of an invisible sniper killer. The people are hidden behind the window curtains staring at their TV’s and waiting for the latest news at 6 pm. This is the preferable time for the killings too, the hour when everyone’s demons of fear and loneliness wake up, the hour of sudden revelations and revenges. Everyone could be both a killer and a victim.
What if the town uses the sniper killer as an alibi? What if the town has made him up to commit its small and big, long suppressed evening murders?
Because the apocalypse is indeed a personal thing.”
- Georgi Gospodinov
LOCATION:
The Bank of Ireland Theatre, Galway.
DATES:
November 16th-19th, 2021
WRITTEN BY:
Georgi Gospodinov
DIRECTED BY:
Chloe Naomi
AWARDS:
This production went on to compete in the 2022 Irish Society Drama Awards (ISDA). The production won Best Performer in a Supporting Role and the Discretionary Award “The Show Will Go On”. The production was also nominated for Best Performer in a Leading Role, Best Lighting and Best Makeup.
CREDITS
CAST
The Accordionist/Narrator: Niamh Mullarkey
Him:Matty Loane
Her: Emily Aherne
The Old Man: Emily White
The Old Woman: Ciara Leahy
The Watched One/The Sandman: Noella Ngilinshuti Ntambara
Friend #1/The Young Man: Seán Egan
Friend #2/The Story Collector: Danny O’Grady
Tina: Amélie Clonan
CREW
Stage Manager: Rebecca Moore
Lighting Designer: Conor McLaughlin
Lighting Operator: Saorla Fenton
Sound Designer: Chloe Naomi
Sound Operator: Mark O’Connor
Set Designer: Chloe Naomi
Set/Props Construction: Rebecca Moore, Mark O’Connor & Sneed Ryan
Costume Designer: Paris Ediagbonya
Costume Assistant: Kim Morrison
Photographer/Videographer: Ben Kirwan
Projection Designer/Operator: Chloe Naomi
Poster Design: Harriet Yakub
Marketing: Chloe Naomi
Photographer: Ben Kirwan
Director’s Note.
Although the world Georgi Gospodinov creates can be a bit bizarre and strange at times; I actually found it to be very familiar. After recently needing to quarantine over the past year and a half, I think we all can relate to the anxiety and social separation presented in the play. Many of the characters feel unnoticeable and lonely and this can lead to acts of violence, paranoia, and a dependency on media. I believe this play shows us what our society could become if we don’t learn how to connect and care for one another without fear.
One of the ways Georgi shows us how to accomplish this is through accessing our inner child. Children do not hesitate to observe, love and dream. This is what we need to avoid the apocalypse. As a community, we need to learn how to escape our anxieties and individualistic tendencies by remembering what we are here for; to learn, share and grow as a community.
My advice for you; is to carry this mentality with you when watching the show. Rather than trying to make sense of the plot, symbols and characters; simply try to connect with them. Then, you can go home and try to make sense of all the beautiful complexities within this play. But for now, just try to connect.
Photographer: Ben Kirwan
Photographer: Ben Kirwan
Videographer: Ben Kirwan Edited By: Chloe Naomi