Post Mortem Players heads to Pluto with psychological sci-fi thriller ‘X’
Concord production blends suspense, isolation and environmental themes in a story set at a remote research station on the edge of the solar system.
This story was adapted from a Post Mortem Players news release.
For its latest production, Post Mortem Players is taking audiences farther from home than ever before — all the way to Pluto.
The Charlotte-area theater company will present “X,” a psychological science-fiction thriller by playwright Alistair McDowall, June 18-28 at the Old Courthouse Theatre in downtown Concord.
Set at a remote research station on Pluto, the play follows a small team of scientists who find themselves cut off from Earth after an unexplained communications blackout. As the days stretch into weeks, the crew struggles to maintain routine, reason and trust while confronting increasingly unsettling events.
The production marks new territory for Post Mortem Players, which has built a reputation for staging horror, suspense and other unconventional works.
The production is directed by Heather Wilson-Bowlby and features Julia Howard as Gilda, William Taylor as Clark, Dan Grogan as Cole, Bill Reilly as Ray, Lily Buffone as Mattie, Aleaha Enamait as Girl 1 and Vida Mejia as Girl 2.
“It’s unlike anything we’ve ever done,” Artistic Director Chris Stonnell said. “A gripping psychological horror story set in deep space that taps into our fear of isolation. Beneath the surface, though, it’s also about the loss of birds, trees, and the world we’ve failed to protect — what we stand to lose if we don’t take care of our home planet.”
Founded in 2022 by Charlotte native and longtime performing arts professional Stonnell, Post Mortem Players specializes in horror, macabre and suspense-themed theater. Based in the Charlotte region, the company stages its productions at Old Courthouse Theatre in Concord.
While “X” delivers suspense and psychological tension, its themes extend beyond science fiction. The play explores environmental loss, human connection and the effects of isolation, using a distant world to examine concerns much closer to home.
Marketing Manager Kimberly Saunders said the production ultimately asks audiences to reflect on humanity’s relationship with Earth and the consequences of the choices society is making today.
“I think so many people associate horror with shock and awe — that it’s just going to be gross and bloody,” Saunders said. “What horror really does is hold a mirror up to society and ask some really tough questions.”
Post Mortem Players has built a reputation for staging ambitious and unconventional productions, often selecting works that challenge audiences and push the boundaries of traditional theater.
Actress Julia Howard, who appeared in the company’s production of The Crucible last summer, praised the group’s commitment to quality.
“They set the bar for an incredibly high level of professionalism in their productions and their commitment to making quality theatre is clear,” Howard said.
Performances will be held June 18-28 at Old Courthouse Theatre, 49 Spring St. NW in Concord. Tickets are $25 when purchased online, $27 at the door beginning 45 minutes before each performance and $20 for students.
Organizers encourage theatergoers to reserve seats in advance, anticipating strong interest in what they describe as one of the company’s most ambitious productions to date.
Recommended for audiences ages 16 and older, “X” contains adult language and themes involving suicide, self-harm, psychological distress, grief and isolation, as well as unsettling imagery. The production runs approximately two hours.
More information and tickets are available at Post Mortem Players.