Impeccable timing: hot on the heels of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)’s Climate Summit Reports, our very own White Man Behind a Desk (WMBAD) is throwing A Party For The End Of The World with the tag line: we gave it a good go.

The party hat-wearing WMBAD (Robbie Nicol) is busy stringing up bunting as the auditorium opens; paper pennants made, I deduce later, from various publications – the UNEP’s Reports, I suspect (production design by Lucas Neal.) His colleague, Finnius Teppett, is going along with it but is less upbeat.

We are treated to a video record of WMBAD seeking public advice, at Wellington’s Harbourside Market, on how to make a show about climate change/ crisis/ chaos/ catastrophe funny. He tries to set the party tone by re-entering the live space on a skateboard …

But Finnius, as the responsible partner, is determined to fulfil the agenda requirements of their anonymous sponsor (psst: Finnius and videographer Mitchell Botting, are wearing Greenpeace t-shirts). Serious climate facts must be imparted … but WMBAD’s live-to-camera address, while nailing the current threats to democracy, is – it seems – way off topic. Although maybe not.

Every attempt Finnius makes to get serious about the crisis at hand is subverted by WMBAD turning it into a game. Even his ‘Expert Interview’ – with Green Party co-leader James Shaw this opening night – is played out as a drinking game (albeit with kombucha). James acquits himself well – as do the audience volunteers.

While WMBAD tends to gabble his questions to A Guest from the Future (if speed speaking was an Olympic sport, Robbie would be a contender) an ingenious conceit emerges whereby the guest gives the same list of answers to three lists of questions. You have to be there.

As for the promised Hopeful Uplifting Monologue … Be assured there is no resorting to trite platitudes but there is an inspiring call out … You really do have to be there (you may catch a seat on Thursday – the rest of the season’s booked out unless an extra is added.

A programme insert also introduces WWF’s 9 Wire initiative – www.9wire.co.nz – which calls for the next generation of Kiwi creativity and ingenuity. That, too, is highly recommended.

Meanwhile A Party For The End Of The World is in itself an ingeniously provocative prod. 

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