How The World Began

15 Nov – 10 Dec 2011 | Arcola Theatre, London

“Sparks fly. A scorching production. Gripping, disturbing and relevant” The Times
“Catherine Trieschmann’s gripping three-hander. Anna Francolini is superb” The Guardian

Susan, a science teacher from Manhattan, starts work in a small rural Kansas town that’s been ripped apart by a tornado.

When one of her pupils – the damaged, articulate Micah – takes offence at an off-the-cuff remark about how life on Earth began, Susan is thrown into an ethical storm about science and faith that leads to her fearing for her safety.

Sharp, thoughtful and mysterious. How the World Began is a powerful story about an outsider in a close-knit, devastated community.

Click for production photos | Audience and press responses

Starring Anna Francolini, Ciaran McIntyre and Perry Millward.
Directed by Des Kennedy, Out of Joint’s Associate Director and winner of Out of Joint’s Director Award. Catherine Trieschmann’s play Crooked was performed at the Bush in 2006.

The Press on Crooked:

‘Delicious satirical naughtiness as well as warmth” Independent on Sunday

‘A play of immense psychological shrewdness.’ Guardian

‘A gem of a discovery’ New York Times