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Deep History 2024

Run Time:
70 minutes, no intermission
Opened: October 10, 2024
Closing: October 27, 2024

Deep History - 2024 Off-Broadway History , Info & More

At the end of 2019, in the English countryside, Australian playwright David 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 Finnigan's 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 a very personal story to illuminate the transforming planet and how we’ve arrived here. An extraordinary ride through human history, DEEP HISTORY is shot through with humor and glowing with hope.


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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Deep History

Past Reviews Off Broadway Reviews Deep History
7 / 10

There is not a lot of traditional theatricality to Deep History. Finnigan relies on his skills as a storyteller as he jumps between the far distant past and current times. The only "visual aids" are some projections from his laptop computer and a length of brown paper on which he highlights his points. This may not be a must-see work for anyone seeking a typical dramatic presentation, but the reality is plenty dramatic for anyone interested in the geologic scale of climate change, and in gaining a different perspective on what the future may hold for us,

Deep History Review. The Climate Crisis is Here.
7 / 10

Running parallel to Finnigan’s explication of thousands of years of human history is a moment-by-moment account of out-of-control fires in 2019 surrounding his hometown of Canberra that threatened his best friend and his family. This didn’t really achieve the tension and suspense that it was clearly meant to inject into “Deep History.” But it did not need to; members of the audience already have tension aplenty from the current news reports full of climate emergencies.

Review Roundup: DEEP HISTORY at the Public Theater
by Nicole Rosky - October 11, 2024


The Public Theater just celebrated opening night for the North American premiere of DEEP HISTORY, a solo show by Australian playwright and performer David Finnigan. Check out what the critics are saying and read all the reviews!

DEEP HISTORY Extended for Two Weeks at The Public Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - September 26, 2024


The Public Theater will begin performances for the North American premiere of DEEP HISTORY, a solo show by Australian playwright and performer David Finnigan, with a Joseph Papp Free Performance in October. The production has been extended! Learn how to purchase tickets.

Deep History History

Other Productions of Deep History

2024   Off-Broadway Public Theater Off-Broadway Premiere Production
Off-Broadway

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