Sunland | Riverside Studios

When faced with the impending end of the world, how will four friends choose to spend their remaining days? Sunland, written by Madeline Whitby and directed by Madison Cole, tells just such a story.

An asteroid is on a collision course with Earth, with a 99.4% chance of impact, and people around the world can do nothing but accept the situation and wait for the inevitable. They must not only endure scorching days without the relief of night, but also watch as the Arc space station, carrying what are considered the most elite members of humanity, passes overhead. Hoping to spend their remaining days in relative comfort, Bo (Isaiah James-Mitchell), Charlie (Lily Walker), Yael (Bex Goddard), and Fran (Gigi Downey) gather at a resort in Thailand. However, even with plenty of food and a safe place to stay, peace remains elusive, as nearly every conversation turns into conflict or unease.

The stage design of the entire play is very simple. Before the performance begins, a bloodstained sack of grain is placed on the sand, symbolizing a dying woman. After Charlie and Bo bury her, the sack remains at the back of the stage, covered by a piece of cloth. For most of the time, the four characters sit in beach chairs, engaging in dialogue. The passage of time is represented by reddening lights and a recurring melody (Dan Sinclair and Isaiah James-Mitchell). However, more captivating than the use of music within the play is the whispering that comes from the radio before the performance begins.

In this story, the characterisation of the four individuals is quite intriguing. Walker’s Charlie is used to expressing her grief through anger. She seems dissatisfied with everyone, including herself. James-Mitchell’s Bo is mild-mannered, tolerant and steady, but at times appears to lack opinions of their own. Goddard’s Yael acts as a harmonising presence in the group’s dynamics. She comes across as very easy to get along with—optimistic, gentle, and almost always calm. Downey’s Fran, on the other hand, is sensitive, perceptive, and resilient. She’s unafraid to express her thoughts and has a clear sense of what she likes and dislikes.

Placing four such different personalities in the same environment has the potential to spark energy and tension, but the current version of Sunland doesn't fully tap into that potential. In a landscape already filled with post-apocalyptic stories, this one lacks a certain distinctiveness that would make it stand out. Because the narrative focuses so heavily on the extreme conflicts caused by an external event, it actually made me more curious about how these four people would interact under daily circumstances.

The current ending also feels a bit too conclusive, leaving some space for ambiguity or an open ending might have been more thought-provoking. Living without knowing which day might be your last is terrifying. It’s easy to feel like you're simply waiting for death. In such a setting, figuring out how to face each day calmly becomes a question that feels hopelessly out of reach. If Sunland were to grasp and explore this idea more deeply, it could become a far more memorable work.

★★★☆☆ (3*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Maddy Whitby