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Simon Stephens' 'A Slow Fire' at Jermyn Street Theatre: Post-Apocalyptic Drama

other · 2026-08-26

Simon Stephens' new play 'A Slow Fire' is currently running at London's Jermyn Street Theatre. The post-apocalyptic drama follows two men who are confined in a bunker, surviving on water, tinned food, and storytelling. The production is noted for its disturbingly apt timing amid UK national emergency warnings. The play explores themes of survival, isolation, and the human need for narrative in crisis. Stephens, a prominent British playwright, is known for works such as 'Punk Rock' and 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time'. The Jermyn Street Theatre is a small, intimate venue in the West End, known for showcasing new and classic plays. The production's relevance to contemporary anxieties about emergency preparedness and societal collapse has been highlighted by critics. The play's setting in a bunker underscores the fragility of normal life and the resilience required in extreme circumstances.

Key facts

  • Simon Stephens wrote 'A Slow Fire'.
  • The play is performed at Jermyn Street Theatre in London.
  • The plot involves two men in a bunker surviving on water, tinned food, and storytelling.
  • The production is considered disturbingly apt for times of UK national emergency warnings.
  • The play is a post-apocalyptic drama.
  • Jermyn Street Theatre is located in London.
  • Simon Stephens is a British playwright.
  • The play's themes include survival and storytelling.

Entities

Artists

  • Simon Stephens

Institutions

  • Jermyn Street Theatre

Locations

  • London
  • United Kingdom

Sources