16.72°C Paul T Davies reviews The Trials, presented by Headgate Young Company
As we face the very real threat of climate change and catastrophe, playwright Dawn King presents a frightening vision of the near future in which the older generation are put on trial for their crimes against the environment.
The jury is made up of young people, who have just fifteen minutes to decide the guilt, or otherwise, of the three defendants. Judgement is swift and capital. Using the binary oppositions of social media, the play is more concerned with debate than character, and is often didactic and preachy, and all judgements are the same, hence we are never shown alternatives.
However, it is a perfect choice for a young company, and they pull it off with passion and conviction.
Of particular note, Betty Turner was convincing as Mo, arguing against the unjust nature of the Trials and trying desperately to defend the accused.
Providing the opposite, unflinching guilty verdicts, Sophie Howard makes an excellent HYC debut as Gabi.
Samuel Lagden is perfect as Tomaz, cynical and self-centred. Charlie Ran Elsom conveyed the loss and horror of flooding convincingly. Violet Ash Smith is spot on as Kacy, facing her parents’ role in causing catastrophe with tragic acceptance.
The ensemble is strong, but some of the roles are underwritten, and some real talent was not given a chance to shine, hampered by a two-dimensional characterisation.
Of the defendants, Tara Woodley is show-stealing with her passionate monologue.
The direction by Tyler Woodhouse is a little static, and it’s a big mistake to have actors sitting on the Headgate floor; they simply cannot be seen from a full auditorium and were often there for a long time.
There were also some first-night nerves and blips, but these will settle down.
Influenced by works such as 1984 and Lord of The Flies, the play doesn’t provoke as much empathy for characters, perhaps to show that there are no heroes in this outcome.
However, there were some excellent technical touches, and the production is played with conviction and is never boring.
