Armed with a projector, family photos and a pile of sand, playwright David Finnigan relates how 75 hours in modern Australia came to collide with an epic sweep of history in this award-winning show.
At the end of 2019, in the English countryside, Finnigan began writing a play about the six turning points that have brought us to this moment in time – our ecosystems transformed, our planet on the brink of unthinkable climate disaster. But then his hometown of Canberra was hit by bushfires. As an area the size of England burned and one billion animals perished, he started to receive texts from loved ones racing to evacuate amid the devastation.
In a performance that interweaves 75,000 years of humanity with the incredibly personal account of his best friend’s escape, Finnigan calls on scientific research, phone footage and storytelling to illuminate unprecedented global change and how we’ve arrived here. Shot through with humour, pop culture and a rich electronic soundtrack, You’re Safe Til 2024 speaks of resilience and hope.
1 hour, no interval
Age guidance 14+
Fri 30 Sep
Audio-described performance
Post-show talk (free to same-day ticket holders), facilitated by Jay Mistry, Professor of Environmental Geography, Royal Holloway University of London and Associate Director of the Leverhulme Centre for Wildfires, Environment and Society.
Take a look at our Accessible Events page to find out more about the accessibility of our venues.
Presented by the Barbican
Supported by the Australian Government as part of the UK/Australia Season 2021-22.
Image credit: Sarah Walker
Booking fees
£4 booking fee per online/phone transaction.
No fee when tickets are booked in person.
Booking fees are per transaction and not per ticket. If your booking contains several events the highest booking fee will apply. The booking fee may be reduced on certain events. Members do not pay booking fees.
Reviews
Discover
Digital programme: You're Safe Til 2024
Discover more about You're Safe Til 2024: Deep History and the creative team behind it in our digital programme.
Read: six more winners of the Edinburgh Fringe new writing awards
Did you know that playwright David Finnigan is a 2022 Fringe First winner, a prestigious award which aims to recognise outstanding new writing that premiers at the Edinburgh Fringe? Find out more in this article from The Scotsman.
How can theatre help us come to terms with climate change?
Discover more about the inspiration and research behind this compelling show, and hear why playwright David Finnigan thinks we should be hopeful about the future of the planet.
Listen: New Scientist podcast with David Finnigan
Ahead of performances of his play You're Safe Till 2024: Deep History, playwright David Finnigan talked to the New Scientist podcast about climate art and the inspiration behind the show.
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The Pit
Location
The Pit is located on Level -2 within the main Barbican building and can be accessed via the stairs or lifts on Level G, next to the doors to the Lakeside Terrace.
Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS
Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.
