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Birmingham Rep in Centenary Square, Birmingham
Artwork for Too Much World at Once. A figure stands in the centre between two diverse landscapes. The landscape on the left is of red mountains with lighting above. The landscape on the right is of snowy mountains with birds flying.

Too Much World At Once

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We should’ve seen this coming. We did. We did see this coming. The world will not be kind to us because we haven’t given it a reason to be.

The world turns. Dark clouds gather. Chaos is on the horizon.

On his 15th birthday, Noble transforms into a bird. Thousands of miles away, his sister Cleo is stationed on a remote island with the British Antarctic Survey. The birds have disappeared. Noble needs to reach her.

A lyrical, theatrical journey that spans continents and lives, Too Much World at Once is an urgent coming-of-age story for our times.

This debut play from Collins is a quirky yet beautiful piece that explores themes of queer identity, family, and the climate crisis of our world.”
★★★★★ West End Best Friend

A thoughtful parable that portrays the frustrations of a younger generation that care deeply about the plight of the planet, but feel powerless to do anything about it.”
★★★★ The Stage

 

Price

From £12

By

Billie Collins

Special Offers

3 for 2: Add 3 shows into your basket and at checkout enjoy 33% off each production for Spring 2023 Events T&Cs apply – Find Out More

Running time

Approximately  2 hours including an interval

Age Guideline

14+

Content Advice

This play contains sensitive content including discussion of mental health and homophobia. For more information click here.

Fees & Charges

Please note there is a transaction fee of £2.50 on all payment types.

Production images:

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Production image from Too Much World at Once. Image shows Paddy Stafford as Noble. He is crouched in the centre of the stage and he is looking up to the sky with a concerned expression on his face. He is wearing a dark green hoodie and dark jeans. The set is of a mixture of items including multiple crates, a radio and an upside-down wooden chair.
Production image from Too Much World at Once. Image shows Paddy Stafford as Noble sat next to Ewan Grant as Ellis. They are sat on a slightly raised bit of stage. Paddy is wearing a dark green hoodie and Ewan is wearing a bright blue t-shirt. Paddy is looking sad and has his arms folded over his legs but Ewan is looking happy and is excitedly talking to Paddy.
Production image from Too Much World at Once. Image shows the cast stood onstage all looking expectantly in different directions with some crouched and some stood.
Production image from Too Much World at Once. Image shows the cast stood onstage all looking expectantly into the sky.
Production image from Too Much World at Once. Image shows Alexandra Mathie as Fiona and Paddy Stafford as Noble. Alexandra is wearing a dark purple jumper and a floral scarf and Paddy is wearing a white vest-top. Alexandra is holding Paddy’s hand as he is injured. Her head is bowed and he is looking away from her.

Rehearsal images:

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Rehearsal image from Too Much World at Once. Image shows Paddy Stafford (Noble) holding a script and looking at his hand.
Rehearsal image from Too Much World at Once. Image shows Alexandra Mathie (Fiona), Evie Hargreaves (Cleo) and Ewan Grant (Ellis), all looking concernedly into the distance.
Rehearsal image from Too Much World at Once. Image shows the entire company onstage. Paddy Stafford (Noble) is crouched at the front as though he is about to start a race. The other three members of the cast are stood behind him holding scripts and speaking at the same time. The atmosphere is one that is charged with energy, as though something big is about to happen.
Rehearsal image from Too Much World at Once. Image shows a close up of the director, Adam Quale, expressively giving instructions to the cast.
Rehearsal image from Too Much World at Once. Image shows Paddy Stafford (Noble) and Alexandra Mathie (Fiona). They are both sat at a table and Fiona has her head in her hand and Paddy is pointing upwards.
Rehearsal image from Too Much World at Once. Image shows the entire company on a small bit of stage. Paddy Stafford (Noble) is crouched at the front and the other three are stood behind him. Evie Hargreaves (Cleo) is leaning on a table.

Cast

Alexandra Mathie Headshot

Fiona

Alexandra Mathie

Cleo

Ewan Grant Headshot

Ellis

Ewan Grant
Paddy Stafford Headshot

Noble

Paddy Stafford

Creative Team

Playwright

Billie Collins

Director

Adam Quayle

Designer

Katie Scott

Sound Designer & Composer

Lee Affen

Lighting Designer

Richard Owen

Movement Director

Aiden Crawford

Production Manager

Jack Opie

Production Manager (Touring)

Rob Athorn

CSM

Phoebe Delafaye

Design Associate

Lucy Sneddon

Sustainability Consultant

Robin Lyons

Associate Producer

Justina Aina

Marketing Associate

Marcy Rick

Assistant Producer

Arisha Marsh

Audio Description Consultancy

Ben Wilson

Audio Description

Hear the Picture

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