Naima Khan reviews The Heretic at Royal Court Theatre as it considers the faith we have in man-made climate change.
Part of the beauty of The Heretic, a clever, witty new play from Richard Bean is that it's un-PC on so many levels. Frank talk spills from every page of the script, on subjects from anorexia to the rise of “media studies”. What's most refreshing is that our main character is a climate change sceptic.
As her department succumbs to commercialisation and her daughter battles with an eating disorder, Diane Cassell, played by the superb Juliet Stevenson, faces death threats from environmentalists while she deals with a rather lost student. Cool, calm and collected, the hard-ass that is Cassell takes it all in her brisk stride. But as the pressures mount she begins to lose it, and she loses it beautifully.
Challenged by the great mix of characters that surround her, Cassell has to question how much of her science is actually faith. After a sparky interview with Jeremy Paxman (the man himself puts in a video appearance), Cassell is suspended by her slightly bumbling but blunt long-term colleague, played to perfection by James Fleet (most recognisable from his role as Hugo in The Vicar of Dibley).
The scenes unfold in Cassell's office and her kitchen, two settings that host an impressively varied selection of action. From tutorials with her innocent friend-of-the-earth student to disagreements with her sharp-tongued daughter, and discussions with her wordsmith security guard, the balance of the highly eloquent and the communicationally challenged is brilliantly absorbing.
Though so much happens – computers are hacked, fights are had, at one point a helicopter lands – the layering is sophisticated and nothing feels like sub-plot: the drama all rolls into one. Science-minded folk will get a kick out of the data analysis (there's a fair bit of this) and for the rest of us there are some useful metaphors.
Not to be shadowed by great acting or plentiful humour, the politics of Bean's script takes centre-stage in this production. He looks at beliefs on global warming as a modern religion with rules, punishments and righteous ideals. The idea of science as scripture, botched results and favourable interpretations all come up, and not subtly. But with such wide-ranging human vessels for these views, they're easily digestible. And Paxman and Fleet sweeten the deal.
The Heretic runs at Royal Court Theatre until 19th March
Click here for Fringe Theatre in London
Click here for Theatre in London
Click here for Things to do in London
Add an event
Frieze Art Fair to launch new section for young galleries in 2012
Frieze have today announced details for the 2012 edition, their tenth art fair in London. Taking place...