The Flat Earthers by James Callàs Ball at Lion & Unicorn Theatre 26 – 20 December 2025

‘James Callàs Ball’s witty dialogue is delivered with impeccable comic timing by the actors.’ ★★★½

In a sterile gastropub function room in Brighton, an unlikely group of misfits gather, all united by a singular belief. This is that the earth is not round, as per the modern scientific consensus, but is actually flat, with a wealth of evidence to back this up. Ostracised from mainstream society for their fringe beliefs, the task of getting their voice heard appears to be an uphill battle. However, when the prospect of a TV appearance in a documentary about Flat Earthers materialises, suddenly the possibility of reaching the masses doesn’t seem so far away.

The group is chaired by the dogmatic Greg (Jamie Kenna), a long-time believer in the flat earth theory and prolific YouTube proselytiser. He is joined by the slightly socially stunted Kevin (John Black), who mainly uses the group as a vehicle for his clumsy attempts at trying to woo Sophie (Valerie Antwi), an inquisitive scholar of all things flat earth and the closest thing the play gets to a voice of reason. Though they all believe in the fundamental principle of the world being flat, their opinions are divided on the specifics of the theory.

This exploration of the dynamic between the group members, who have little in common, and how this is navigated is the driving force of the play. One gets the sense that the play does not necessarily have to be about flat earth; the main source of conflict concerns a struggle for power, and which group member stands to gain the most from their participation in the collective. Aside from a few moments of insight about the specifics of the theory – the concept of ‘universal acceleration’, in lieu of conventional gravity, being a notable example – it feels unlikely that audiences will come away significantly more informed about the actual theory than they were coming in. The objective of the play appears to be to examine the dysfunctional nature of a small fringe group such as this one, and to gently satirise the absurdity of their beliefs through their interactions with each other, rather than probing too deeply.

We are afforded some moments where the characters’ reasons for joining the group, and the negative impact that this has had on their lives, become apparent, offering some deeper insight into the true cost of having such unorthodox viewpoints. However, these don’t linger for too long before we’re back in the primary remit of the show; its comedy. This is no big problem, as this aspect is where it really excels. Writer and director James Callàs Ball’s witty dialogue is delivered with impeccable comic timing by the actors, and the skillful delivery of the repartee between characters means the energy of the show is sustained throughout.

Considering the complex subject matter, it does feel as though there are some missed opportunities to really interrogate the dark and multi-layered world of conspiracy theorists. Despite this, the comedic aspects of the play, and the exceptional performances of the cast make for an engaging production, which pokes fun at the beliefs of its characters without stripping them completely of all emotional depth. The greatest achievement of this play is perhaps its ability to translate a niche, mostly online community to a real life space, resulting in a piece that feels authentic to its subject matter while still being thoroughly entertaining. 

Flat Earthers BOX OFFICE https://offwestend.com/listing/the-flat-earthers/

Written and directed by James Callàs Ball

Lion & Unicorn Theatre, 42-44 Gaisford St

Kentish Town

London NW5 2ED

16-20 December

Cast

Jamie Kenna - Greg

John Black - Kevin

Valerie Antwi - Sophie

Creative team

Hardy Gru - Set designer