Set in the year 2039, this is a world that man has destroyed. The Earth's fragile ecosystem is under attack and we are viewing the day to day current events through Skype conversations between two different scientists; one based in the UK (played by Gideon Turner) and one in Philadelphia (played by Emma Gibson). This is the USP of the production. Gibson is actually in Philadelphia and we are watching a live video link to America. Even though this a novel way to perform a co-production with the Philadelphia based theatre company, Tiny Dynamite, because we are all so used to using Skype as an everyday tool, Gibson could just as easily be in the next room. But I guess that’s the beauty of modern technology and sort of the point.
The masterful way in which they integrate digital technology into the production is without a doubt the highlight of this show
The play follows the breakdown of Gibson and Turner's relationship and their differing points of view in how their son should be bought up in this brave new world. One is an eco warrior fighting for survival and freedom from corporate control of this crumbling world and the other is cold and blinkered, only interested in herself and a world she can mould and create. Gideon Turner gives a strong performance, portraying a man who is trying to save the world, his family and his sanity; eventually accepting his fate with the dignity of a scientist who knows that sacrifices have to be made. It is surely a political comment that in a small valley in the UK, Turner is fighting to survive whilst Gibson is holed up in a series of beautiful apartments, hotels and fully equipped labs in an America that has gardens and a plentiful food supply. The moral here is clearly 'don't trust your allies, they'll only betray you'.
The set is beautifully designed by Cecile Tremolieres and transforms the production from a play about a crumbling relationship into a futuristic, digital world. Everything looks stunning. The clever sound design, by Chris Drohan, is used to make the audience aware of each new horrific thing happening to the world around them. The masterful way in which they integrate digital technology into the production is without a doubt the highlight of this show. The fictional bio-tech firm i-Genis, the evil corporate giant that Gibson has sold her soul to, even has it's own website for audiences to interact with after experiencing the play.
The production certainly makes you think a little more about how we treat our planet and how much control these corporate giants really have over our food supply. Perhaps, or rather hopefully, walking away from this production audiences will think more about how they consume and realise that it isn't too late to avoid this bleak future.
