You might’ve seen your fair share of apocalypse stories in film, television and theatre, but none quite like this. All of Them, Dead; the brand new play by writer Thom Munden, is a refreshing take on a classic trope. Set in the midst of a global pandemic, where infected meat rains down on the unsuspecting inhabitants of planet earth, we meet our young leads Corey and Harry. We watch as the teens discover what it’s like to fall in love and navigate the turmoil of a world on the brink of disaster, all while dodging chunks of animal carcass. Yes it sounds macabre, but it works. With brilliantly witty dialogue, impactful use of multimedia and a small but mighty cast, I was hooked from the off. While it seemed ambitious to fit so much into a 40 minute piece, nothing about this show felt forced or rushed. In fact, I was so engrossed in the world that had been created that I was sorely disappointed when the cast took their bows.
At it’s core, All of Them, Dead is a story of queer love. When we meet Corey and Harry they’re already living in an apocalyptic world (one that feels very familiar to the audience) but that doesn’t take away from the heart of the show, the discovery of love. Daniel Ferrier (Corey) and Daniel Metcalfe (Harry) — both Bristol School of Acting alumni —make a great team. It’s exciting these young actors explore choices while covering hard hitting, relevant topics.
I particularly enjoyed the use of technology throughout. While the show is set in 2003, video elements brought it firmly into present day. The team brought the barren landscape of the Fens into Pegasus Theatre, transporting the audience to Corey and Harry’s world in a truly modern style. I hope that future iterations retain that modern feel.
We were lucky enough to sit with the create team for a post-show Q&A and the overwhelming feeling in the theatre was one of connection. It was amazing to listen to audiences thoughts and ideas on what may happen next in this story and the fate of its characters. Some, like myself, had come to the show with fresh eyes while others had been present since it’s conception at last years Queer Fest. The team spoke of the lengths they went to to include young people in the development of Corey and Harry’s story. You could clearly see the influence these young people had over the piece, it felt fresh and current.
I’m rooting for this show and will be following it’s journey, whatever form that takes, for years to come. There are some creative pursuits that bring joy and laughter, some that are impactful. This play, this story is both. I’m excited for the next steps in this shows journey.