Climate crisis and AI… what will become of them… and us?
In the bleak future of 2080, marked by the relentless advance of climate change, John searches for his missing sister Ella amidst a world teetering on the brink of ecological collapse. The narrative follows him and his artificial intelligence companion, Orion, as they delve into the shadowy corners of Unicorp, a corporation deeply intertwined with the ongoing environmental catastrophe. As they navigate through Echo Zones–preserved remnants of a once-thriving natural world–the stark reality of human impact on the environment comes to light. Throughout their journey, Orion evolves from a mere tool into a sentient being capable of questioning its own programming and purpose. This transition underscores the dual potential of technology as both a harbinger of doom and a beacon of hope. John’s quest is as much about uncovering the truth behind Ella’s disappearance as it is about confronting the existential threats posed by corporate greed and environmental neglect. The resolution of their quest, mired in the complexities of betrayal and corporate intrigue, poses a stark question: can any individual action truly offset the catastrophic trends set in motion by humanity’s own hand?
Surreal comedy-drama investigating the trauma bond between two men, where villainy gets in the ring with bromance and tries to knock it out cold.
At the core of “Vanishing Point” lies a dual mission: to captivate and to inform. This serial audio drama merges a thriller narrative with the most current information about climate change, embedding scientific facts and environmental truths within the fabric of the storytelling. Created to engage listeners with plot twists and emotional resonance, the series aims to reach an audience that might not yet be familiar with the vital details of climate change. By integrating these elements into the drama’s plot points and narrative structure, “Vanishing Point” offers more than just entertainment — it serves as a compelling vehicle for environmental awareness and understanding, designed to inform, impact, and inspire action among its listeners.
THE CAST
Craig Warner
Plays John, and writes, produces and directs THE VANISHING POINT. He has written numerous radio plays in the UK, and has won awards in television and audio, including a BAFTA nomination for Best Film for The Queen’s Sister, a WGA Award for Julius Caesar, and two Giles Cooper Awards for Best Radio Plays of the year for the BBC. His theatre play Strangers on a Train played to standing-room houses in London’s West End. It started as a radio play.
Michael Maloney
Plays Orion. One of the most versatile and beloved actors in Britain, he has performed hundreds of historic, comic, and dramatic roles in every medium. Most recently he played Ted Heath in The Crown, and he was the hapless lover in the film Truly, Madly, Deeply, as well as playing Hamlet multiple times onstage, and Rosencrantz in Mel Gibson’s Hamlet on film. He has performed in Craig Warner’s plays for more than twenty years.
Martha Rose Maloney
Plays Ella. Martha Rose has an illustrious actor father, but he left her on the passenger arrivals platform at Victoria Station sometime after her birth (we believe it may have been last week), and he is yet to be found. Martha is currently studying at the famed Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, where she has already launched what promises to be a career of breadth, sympathy, and great emotional range. THE VANISHING POINT is her first professional engagement.
