←Recommendations of A Serial Play

In ten episodes of a Survivor-like contest, Greg Lam’s “Treachery Island” elicits plenty of laughs, as a group of predictable types—the scheming contestant, cynical showrunner, and dumb jock—manage the multiple crises of an unexplained global catastrophe. Reimaging the reality genre as a workplace drama, Lam gives us three-dimensional characters off-script and off-camera, whose actual survival we care about. With multiple plot twists in every episode, the play delivers a fast-paced, brilliant satire of both reality television and the tropes of apocalyptic literature. Ideal for multiple formats: radio, stage, or screen as a limited television series. Highly recommended.

Like my fellow commenters, I saw episodes 1-3 at a theatre conference and was sucked in. And this is from someone who genuinely hates reality TV and everything it was engendered (a topic that the play certainly addresses.) It's funny, clever, and really leans into the episodic format, keeping the twists and turns coming, ratcheting up the tension, and regularly topping itself. Glad I got a chance to read the whole thing!

An episodic serial play for fans of reality TV and science fiction. Treachery Island follows contestants at the end of a Surviror-esque game show who find themselves in a dystopian nightmare. Twists and turns in the play keep the audience guessing. A fun and engaging ride for anyone who's ever wondered if they could outwit, outlast, and outplay their fellow human beings.

When a reality TV show becomes a little too real. I was in the audience for a reading of episodes 1-3 of this series, and I'm hooked! Beautifully crafted characters and many laughs amidst a potentially serious and delightfully absurd situation.

The characterizations in this piece are so well developed and hilarious! I had the pleasure of reading Angela in the first 3 episodes of this piece for the Valdez Theatre Conference. Because I didn't want to spoil the experience, today I read all the episodes and there are some fantastic twists and turns! What a great commentary on how far is too far in reality television! Congratulations, Greg! I can't wait to see its further development!

Oh what diabolical fun this play series is! Whether you are a fan of Survivor or not, the parody and wit of these character sparkle under a tropical sun (or is it an alien spaceship?). Lam has an exceptional ear for dialogue and his characters exist in the hyper-aware bubble of reality TV production that is perfectly suited for the fast paced adventure that a postapocalyptic world offers. I enjoyed the first three episodes tremendously! Rooting for the aliens to win it all in the end. :)

A delightfully imaginative series of short plays as the cast of a Survivor-style reality show are faced with actual survival after a cataclysm ends civilization. I was lucky enough to see a reading of the first three episodes at the Valdez Theatre Conference - very funny for reality TV diehard fans and un-observers alike!