08/06/2022
A note to all who knew Last One Standing, or Bardiya, or rightfully knew them to be synonymous;
Last One Standing Theatre Company was founded by the inimitable Bardiya McKinnon - this young company was his baby and he worked his ass off for every production he produced.
His first production under L.O.S.T. was ‘DNA’ at KXT in early 2018. He then went on to produce ‘Alice in Slasherland' at the Old Fitz in 2019 with great success, and then ‘An Intervention’ at the Old 505 later that same year.
Last One Standing was about to start a development week at KXT for a new work on Monday the 23rd November 2020, which instead is the day Bardiya was taken away from us.
The last conversation Bardiya and I had was about this new work he was so keen to get on its feet. It was about the work. The art.
It was always about the art.
Because what is life without it?
Which is why I’m not going to let the art he strived for die with him.
It makes me so proud, while simultaneously breaking my heart, to be taking on Last One Standing Productions (née Theatre Company).
While endeavouring to continue producing theatre in the future, we will also be foraying into screen - which was one of Bardiya’s most immediate goals for the company.
Our first project under this slight name change is a project Bardiya had already started helping me produce, and was SO excited about (… but more on that later).
I aim to continue the company in tandem with Bardiya’s legacy - my hope being that ‘Last One Standing’ and Bardiya’s name will be eternally synonymous.
I was privileged enough to watch Bardiya work, listen to his hopes and dreams for the company, and in the case of ‘An Intervention’, produce alongside him.
He was a powerhouse and knew what it took to create something magical.
In no way do I want to try and fill his big shoes when it comes to this company. However I do want to continue the sentence he began - because he had so much more to say and I don’t believe he left us on a full stop.
So be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the next part of his legacy…
Last One Standing Productions will live on. And Bardiya’s name with it.
Thank you, and all my love,
Lucy Green
xx
“Your absence has gone through me
Like thread through a needle.
Everything I do is stitched with its colour.”
~ W.S. Merwin
📷 Alice in Slasherland - Robert Catto
📷 DNA - Clare Hawley
📷An Intervention - Jasmin Simmons
