Last Gasp by David Beardsley

In the not too distant future--or maybe it's the very distant future--two scientists prepare a final lifeline for humanity. They're overseeing Project Eden, which they will activate should a desperate, last-ditch effort to save our species from climate-change extinction fail. As the all-important moment approaches, emotion and petty jealousy intrude with disastrous effect. Part sci fi, part horror,...
In the not too distant future--or maybe it's the very distant future--two scientists prepare a final lifeline for humanity. They're overseeing Project Eden, which they will activate should a desperate, last-ditch effort to save our species from climate-change extinction fail. As the all-important moment approaches, emotion and petty jealousy intrude with disastrous effect. Part sci fi, part horror, part satire, all dark comedy, Last Gasp asks, "Does our species even deserve a second chance?"
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Last Gasp

Recommended by

  • Bethany Dickens Assaf:
    26 Dec. 2021
    “ There is so much to recommend about this fine play: the humor, the characterizations, and the building tension are all wonderful elements, and Beardsley is adept in drawing them all in a short time-frame. This is one of those plays where you immediately want to see it with an audience and feels the reactions in the room. ”
  • Christine Foster:
    3 Dec. 2020
    “ Beardsley's brilliantly conceived short play is gripping, imaginative and truly chilling. I would love to see this onstage as the audience gradually figures out that the characters are not what they seem to be, that time is not what it seems to be, and that our species' survival is not going to even be a 50-50 proposition. I had goosebumps. ”
  • Rachael Carnes:
    8 Mar. 2020
    “ A deeply-felt, heartbreaking and - amazingly - funny play, about the end of the world. Beardsley writes with finely-tuned dialogue and characters that come to life. ”
View all 5 recommendations

Character Information

The Voice of Eden can be pre-recorded or performed live.

  • Jess/Audie/Launch Voice
    A robot/scientist/memory,
    Any
    ,
    Any gender
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Pat/Avery/Launch Voice
    A robot/scientist/memory,
    Any
    ,
    Any gender
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • The Voice of Eden
    n/a,
    Any
    ,
    Any
    The computerized voice of the Project Eden facility. Smooth and calm (think Hal from 2001, A Space Odyssey). These lines can be pre-recorded or performed live.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Mid-America Theatre Conference
    ,
    2020