Show: The Trials
Venue: The Donmar Warehouse
Writer: Dawn King
Director: Natalie Abrahami
Running until: 27th August
Rating: 5 Stars
Set 18 years into our future, The Trials is a play where the older generation who are deemed to have a large carbon footprint are put on trial for their complicity in the climate change crisis, and the younger generation – those of gen Z and millennials, are the jurors. The show is surprisingly heavier than one may anticipate and the cleverly crafted script, courtesy of (Dawn King) has a lot of uncomfortable truths within the text – these are truths that people need to hear. The Trials is a play that is very much ahead of its time and one we need to open people’s eyes to the climate crisis – now more than ever.
The young cast members who make up the jury (Elise Alexandre, Francis Dourado, Jowana El-Daouk, William Gao, Pelumi Ibiloye, Honor Kneafsey, Joe Locke, Rue Millwood, Charlie Reid, Mereana Tomlinson, Taya Tower and Jairaj Varsani ) are fantastic at leading the show, rarely leaving the stage since their entrance, yet managing to continuously keep the audience attentive. Joe Locke and William Gao are both well-known actors due to the recent success in the hit graphic novels turned Netflix show Heartstopper. With their casting comes a dedicated fanbase, and whilst the pair are fantastic and deserving of their roles, bringing in their fans is also a benefit for the play given the subject content; younger people will be able to watch this show and have their eyes opened at the seriousness of the climate issue. The show does demonstrate how everyone taking small actions in everyday life can have big consequences and help the world for the better, and this is done in a way that is accessible to audience members of all ages and backgrounds. With Natalie Abrahami’s direction, The Trials is accessible, understandable and impactful.
The cast making up the adult characters (Lucy Cohu, Nigel Lindsay and Sharon Small) do a stellar job through their performances when they are on trial; they have found a balance between trying to encourage sympathy as they attempt to justify their actions – or lack of. The explanations and excuses feel like an echo of what life is like today, yet with the emotion in their performances, it is hard to tell if there is genuine regret or a fear of being found guilty and if these are empty words.
The way the script has been crafted shows the generational divide between the older and younger generations, and the way different ages both have and had different attitudes to the climate crisis and how every individual has a part to play. There are many complex factors and themes addressed and discussed in an engaging and thought-provoking way. Is people turning on each other, attacking and getting angry at each other for not doing enough or for being too forceful a productive tactic? Is someone being genuinely apologetic and keen to change good enough? If we discard all jobs that aren’t deemed ‘productive’ to the world (such as nursing), is there any point in trying to save the earth? What is a planet with no creativity or enjoyment? And if we as people lose our kindness, compassion and empathy – our humanity – what hope does that leave for the future? It really hits home the points of how yes climate change should be taken seriously and action is needed by everyone – however big or small, but also how we should not be trying to save the planet to just exist, but still to really live.
Whilst the stage does not have huge amounts of set, this does actually make sense given where the show is set. The details regarding the costume choices, courtesy of Georgia Lowe are also very interesting. There are the older cast members in suits and modern clothes that are clean and pristine – clearly designed to look new. Then contrasting this, the younger cast members are in patched, dirty clothes that have been worn numerous times – almost to death – again hinting at the differences between the two generations and who uses fast/new fashion and those who don’t. It is these small added details within the production that really elevates it and immerses the audience within the story and brings the show that much more to life.
The Trials is a scary yet riveting perspective on the not-so-distant future; it is so scary because it is not so hard a situation to imagine. With the way things are going, it is no longer a stretch of the imagination to see trials such as those presented in the play happening. To have children who have never and may never see snow or ride a plane; to have increases in droughts, floods and fires to the point where more and more people are losing their homes and lives. To have governments, scientists and companies turn a blind eye – to have no one wanting to take responsibility for their actions and instead leave it to younger and future generations to step up and bring change.
To call The Trials an enjoyable watch would not be a bad choice of words, but equally, it may not be the right choice. The Trials is clever, creative, innovative, heavy and that word again: uncomfortable – but in the best way. It is all of this and more, and all of this is done in a very effective manner, which all combined has the power to have the desired effect: open people’s eyes and make them wake up. This is not an older generation’s fault or problem, nor is it the younger generation’s problem to fix. This is everyone’s problem and it is now more than ever we need community and humanity to move forward, not back.
One thing is for sure, The Trials is a brutally honest and relevant play that everyone could do with seeing. Everyone on the cast and creative team who was been a part of this incredible play should be beyond proud of themselves for their equally incredible work, and proud of the message they are spreading through the play. As Noah says at one point: “if you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention”.
The Trials runs at the Donmar Warehouse until the 27th August 2022. Buy tickets here (if there are any left!)
One Show at a Time 