Written by Alice Stanley Jr
Directed by Riley Rose Critchlow
Navigating trauma through dark comedy is a delicate tightrope, but The Second Best School Shooting walks it with impressive poise. Set in the immediate aftermath of an active shooter incident, the play follows two best friends grappling with an absurdly modern predicament: their own survival has been completely eclipsed by a far deadlier shooting on the exact same day.
The central premise, that one friend is genuinely devastated because a survivor from the other school has racked up half a million Instagram likes, is as hilarious as it is deeply unsettling. Alice Stanley Jr’s script uses this bleak satire to expose a grim reality, highlighting a culture where tragedy is commodified and social media validation threatens to overshadow human life.
At the heart of the production is an authentic dynamic between the two leads. The contrast between the friend desperate for attention and the one attempting to process her trauma by simply getting on with normal life creates a compelling emotional anchor. Their bond feels real and delicately balanced as they navigate supporting one another alongside the need for emotional distance.
Visually, the staging makes clever use of a simple bedroom setup—a bed, a desk, and a chair. In a compact venue, what could easily have felt static instead remains dynamic and visually engaging throughout. The Second Best School Shooting is a clever provocation that uses dark comedy to deliver a sobering critique of gun violence and public apathy.
Runs until 30 August 2026 | Image: Andrew Perry
