A breathless woman runs into the space, looking behind her. Voices boom from behind the door asking for her to let them in: urgent and threatening. They bang on the door and she is clearly jumpy. Here begins the tense start to The Final Episode, referring to the last podcast she is about to create live in front of us.
It’s an intriguing story with many layers to it. On one hand it’s a straight forward conspiracy theory written, directed and played by Kathryn Mincer as Carly, the podcast lead. From the outset the more cynical viewer might suspect other issues with Carly. Is this a mental ill health episode? What does this conspiracy theory: the Ashfell Protocol, really mean? As we ponder these things and more, all the other dark grit opens up for us: the need for human connection and validation through any – yet increasingly digital – means, mob culture and behaviour, the behaviour of cults, personal and social responsibility, and the worship of a sudden messiah.
Consequences are a huge part of this story, that even when Carly tries desperately to do the right thing; once you’ve set a series of things in motion that they have their own momentum that is sometimes impossible to stop. The point is perhaps to seriously think through possible consequences before committing to them.
There is a great deal of tech in this production in terms of sound effects, voice overs and lights and the production is better for it, although it’s not clear why the Police chasing her in the UK are American. There is a clear vision and the whole thing has a film like quality and this would do well developed into a film. However, one person shows are very tricky, in what is essentially a long monologue. As such some of the delivery didn’t quite land, including the transitions between present and flashbacks, which would have benefitted from being cleaner. It is an interesting story concept with potential for development where this very short piece could be explored further and allowed room to breathe.
The Lantern Theatre, 1 May 2026
The Final Episode runs until 3 May 2026
Photos credit: Kathryn Mincer
