This Little Earth
If you told me I was spending my Friday night watching two flat-earthers travel to Antarctica to find the edge of the world, I would have told you, that’s not really my thing. But it makes for urgent, evocative theatre, who knew?
This Little Earth written by Jessica Norman started its life at the Arcola as part of a short play to come full circle (ha) as a full 90 minute piece to high acclaim, being longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Playwriting. Directed by Imy Wyatt Corner, This Little Earth follows Honey (Fanta Barrie) trying to cope with the loss of her sister. After a chance encounter with the charming and cheeky Christopher (Ross O’Donnellan), their relationship, be it romantic or just co-dependency moves quick. He seems to have all the answers, she seems to have the means to make a crazy one in a lifetime trip to prove that yes, the earth is really flat. But the question is, how deep can the iceberg go?
From the start we bounce between two adventurers bickering about how ill-prepared they are in the face of danger to the slightly warmer atmosphere of a pub where we meet our two main characters. The pacing throughout works, the audience having to piece together how we ended up literally at the most isolated place in the world. We cover everything from conspiracy theories, irrational fears of penguins to being yes, very, very cold. Secrets are revealed, hearts laid bare and trust is broken again and again. In a way, Honey and Christopher are the worst pairing which is why it makes for solid viewing. Their chemistry is not really romantic but also more than friends. A strange, third place which makes sense. As the play often ruminates on what lies beyond, what is death and how we can atone for the guilt of our choices.
The direction by Norman is minimal but expertly guided, allows full expression of characters and builds upon the running pace we take as an audience to reach back to the opening moment of disaster where we meet Honey and Christopher fending for their lives against the natural landscape. The set by Cat Fuller is simple but imaginative, a small ramp and various blue textiles that hang above. At times the use of projection design, Hugo Dodsworth was a welcome touch to show landscapes, consumption and more. the tent revival being a clever and fun new texture to the piece.
The final act is where the pace wobbles, having both the reveal of the penguin and Nigel West, the big bad influencer pushing harmful online content. Having both back to back, yes shows just how bad the mental state has deteriorated but then again seems like a quick effort to resolve and answer all the questions. Which is fair, because regardless, this is what the work is doing. We have questions. Is Christopher really okay? How did we get here? What can we believe? How far can we go until we freeze over entirely? Simple in set up but strong in action. I especially loved the sound design of Jamie Lu. Highlighting the isolation, the vacuum we have found ourselves in. The echoes of voices bouncing back had a slight edge of horror.
The world right now feels more divided than ever. Our content has never been less united. People are still trying to cope. This Little Earth is a brutal and chilling look at conspiracy, belief and humanity. How much can we accept as reason in a world where we cannot accept it. How can we take apart grief, allow personal responsibility and still feel human? Do we shut the feeling out and focus on our anger at the top dogs or do we melt away? At a time when the world feels colder than ever, we need warm places of connection like This Little Earth.
This show was reviewed on the 24th October 2025 at the Arcola Theatre, London where it runs until the 15th November 2025. Tickets available here: This Little Earth - Arcola Theatre
Review written by Mary Condon O'Connor
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Photo credit: Johan Persson
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