A sharp, fast-paced comedy about journalism, misinformation and storytelling, inspired by a true story and the book by John D'Agata and Jim Fingal.
The Lifespan of a Fact is coming to the Civic Theatre Playhouse in Newcastle for a four-night run from Wednesday 9 September through to Saturday 12 September. It's a sharp, fast-paced comedy inspired by a true story, based on the acclaimed book by essayist John D'Agata and fact-checker Jim Fingal.
The play follows an ambitious young intern whose routine edit spirals into a battle over accuracy and artistic licence. It's the kind of thing that starts as a simple correction and ends up as a full-blown clash over where the truth stops and the storytelling begins. It's a comedy, but it's one that keeps you thinking about how we treat facts when they get in the way of a good story.
That's where the real meat of the play is: it digs into misinformation, journalism, ego, and the way we tell stories in an era where facts often feel up for debate. It's a conversation that feels pretty current, and the play puts it front and centre rather than keeping it in the background. The Washington Post described the production as 'buoyantly literate', and it's drawn comparisons to The West Wing, Succession, and The Newsroom — all shows that trade on fast dialogue and people who think they're the smartest person in the room.
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It's not a new piece of writing; it originally staged on Broadway starring Daniel Radcliffe, Bobby Cannavale, and Cherry Jones. This production brings that same story to the Playhouse, and it's recommended for ages 14 and up. With four nights to choose from — Wednesday 9, Thursday 10, Friday 11, and Saturday 12 September — you've got a bit of room to fit it in.
