LA is burning

When two old Angelenos lose everything, they must navigate overwhelming grief, toxic ash and paperwork purgatory surrounded by clueless celebs and frazzled firefighters. 6000 miles away, their (very) anxious daughter clings to composure.

Two-time Fringe Theatre Awards nominee, Burn Baby Burn: LA Inferno is a searing tragicomedy exploring the human cost of climate change and the humans fanning the flames. A sharp-witted blend of storytelling, songs and comic characterization. It asks questions nobody wants to answer like: Why was LA’s biggest reservoir empty? What the hell is a ‘firenado’? And how did 80s film star Steve Guttenberg become a low-key hero?

With a childhood shaped by wildfires and her parents’ home destroyed in The Palisades Fire, Hunter has transformed personal tragedy into heartbreaking and hilarious theatre. Burn Baby Burn is Erin Hunter’s second solo show, following the success of critically acclaimed Surfing the Holyland, which garnered nominations for the Popcorn/BBC New Writing Award and an Offie. Produced by Slackline Productions, champions of women's stories 35+, and directed by its founder, Kristin Duffy.

Reviews

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'excellent play' - Chris Neville Smith on Theatre

‘A retelling of an environmental and social catastrophe, with a dash of Californian whimsy’ -Reviews Hub

‘Great jokes, surprisingly catchy songs and a powerful message.’ -The Obscurity ****

'A dark topic, but one empathically conveyed...carefully directed by Kristin Duffy, giving space to Hunter’s charming and assured performance. Hunter describes the episode with adept storytelling, humour and music accompanied by a ukulele.' -Rialto Arts ****

The Team

ERIN HUNTER

Erin is an actor, writer and theatremaker with over two decades of experience. Originally from Los Angeles, she trained at LAMDA and UCLA with a study year abroad at Trinity College Dublin. Erin’s critically acclaimed debut solo show, Surfing the Holyland, explores female empowerment through surfing was nominated for the BBC/Popcorn New Writing Award (Edinburgh Fringe) and an Offie (Brighton Fringe). Reviewers said: ‘a must-see show…profoundly joyous and joyously profound’ (Fringe Review); ‘a tour de force' (Plays to See); ‘oodles of charm' (The Guardian).

As an actor, Erin’s performed at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Soho Theatre, Bush Theatre, Southwark Playhouse and Arcola among others; and in two runs of the world’s longest running sketch comedy show, Newsrevue. Erin is ½ of comedy duo Hunt the Vigan. Their viral comedy parenting video Boobies in a Box was called ‘hilarious’ by the Huffington Post. Their retro screwball comedy web series, A Quick Fortune, was selected for 10 global festivals including Raindance and won a screenwriting award at the DC Web Fest. In 2024, Erin penned monthly ukulele songs, landing her interviews on BBC Radio London and a spot in the Musical Comedy Awards.

And Credits:

Show title: Burn Baby Burn: LA Inferno

Written and performed by Erin Hunter

Directed by Kristin Duffy

Produced by Slackline Productions

Running Time: Act 1 - 40mins, Act 2 - 40mins with a 20

minute interval

Age-range: 12+

Mild swearing, fire alarm SFX, mature references to tragedy

of natural disaster

Description supplied by the event organiser.