And If The Surface Tension Breaks Q&A at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre
How will the world end? And how will you spend your final moments just before it happens? That’s the setting for Proforca Theatre’s latest world premiere play, And If The Surface Tension Breaks, at London’s Lion & Unicorn Theatre.
In the case of And If The Surface Tension Breaks‘ protagonist Charlie (Conor Rowlett), the end arrives – as with a litany of other cataclysmic events in his life – on his birthday.
As the atmosphere evaporates, the oceans boil and the world burns, we celebrate the big day with a ride through key moments and faces from Charlie’s past and a future that, had he been a little braver, might have been.
Cheer up. It’s not the end of the world. Is it?
If that sounds utterly bleak – and slightly too plausible given current global affairs – you’ll just have to believe me that it’s not. In fact, there’s a lot of fun along the way towards finally making sense of the big “it all”.
It’s another great, thought-provoking offering to mark Proforca’s tenth anniversary as a company, and sixth in residence at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre, where And If The Surface Tension Breaks launches the new spring season.
Following the press night performance, I was joined onstage by (left-right) writer/director and artistic director David Brady, cast members Ben Watts, Emily O’Mahoney, Kitty Evans, Conor Rowlett, and movement director Mark Conway to discuss the odds of various world-ending disasters, Japanese folklore, personal mementoes, light sabres, audition anxiety and milestones.
Amongst the other topics covered were Proforca’s legacy of new work – this event marks my sixth year of Q&As with the company, following premieres of Feel, At Last, Lately, Flashbang and The Shatter Box – and what else is coming up at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre, with contributions from incoming artists (a trio of Sams!) in the audience.
Q&A video
Q&A photos
On social media
Signs ready for tonight’s SOLD-OUT performance + post-show Q&A for @proforcatheatre.bsky.social’s latest premiere, If the #SurfaceTension Breaks, at @landutheatre.bsky.social.
Any Qs for writer/director @davidbrady83.bsky.social, movement director or cast?
#londontheatre #postshowtalks
— Terri Paddock (@terripaddock.bsky.social) February 12, 2025 at 5:35 PM
What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened on your birthday? 🎂
Charlie wins. His birthday coincides with the end of the world. 🌍💥
I look forward to ‘celebrating’ with him & the #SurfaceTension company at tonight’s @proforcatheatre.bsky.social Q&A.
app.lineupnow.com/event/and-if…
— Terri Paddock (@terripaddock.bsky.social) February 12, 2025 at 5:37 PM
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