The play seeks to ask what legacy we as a species are leaving for future generations, whether we are responsible, and what- if anything- can be done to slow the (literally) rising tides.
In this performance Chris Rapley, professor of climate science at UCL takes centre stage, alone, to deliver what is essentially a lecture. But it is more than that. The set is simple, a dark stage containing a simple chair to the right hand side, a glass of water on the adjacent table. As our scientist humbly takes the stage there is no fanfare, the lights are dim and we can truly see the set. Three projector screens forming a pyramid go deep into the stage and are lit up in monochrome to show the image of Earth from above gradually moving away from us, fading to black at the rear of the stage.
Rapley speaks in a slow, measured, but natural way. He is delivering a script which he has co-written with Duncan Macmillan, who recently created an arresting production of 1984, which is the consolidation of many hours of interviews on the subject of climate change. We are taken back to the start of creation through the script along with beautiful black and white visuals which show moving graphs and diagrams enlivening Rapleys words. I've come to see it on Press Night and Rapley almost faultlessly delivers the script which is clearly expertly written - the pace and tone carefully chosen with obvious influence from theatre professionals. This is not a glorified TED talk, but more than that.
Statistics and proven scientific facts are used in a careful, considered way allowing for the scepticism which often surrounds any talk of climate change. Very little imagery or metaphor is used in the script and music and sound effects are subtle and not obviously emotive - providing emphasis when it is necessary but allowing the words and visuals to rule.
I've rarely seen graphs look quite as mesmerising; particularly messy, incomprehensible climate graphs. But they come alive in their 3D stage/screen behind our scientist.
Admittedly, there are moments where I lose concentration, despite the enormity of what Rapley is orating, but that could be because it's been a long day at work. We are taken through the findings of The IPCC's latest report findings (a first in theatre, surely?) which state that 'We are responsible' for a significant change in our planet's climate and that time is running out to turn things around.
I begin to feel the enormity of what we have done to change our planet for the worse, almost sensing a rise in carbon dioxide in the theatre's atmosphere. Are we really doing anything except talk about this subject? What can ordinary people do to make a difference?
We are reminded that even small things we do can make a difference, however insignificant they can seem. These small things - like using public transport, changing our diets, lobbying our MPs, turning off that bathroom light - can make a difference collectively.
Rapley states that it is actually engineers who could make real change happen. That there is hope that in 2071, when his granddaughter is the same age he is now, we could have averted the catastrophe we are on course for. He states that China is now, somewhat surprisingly, one of the nations leading the way in turning around the damage that we have done to the environment. That despite the USA not signing up to targets from the Kyoto protocol or other international treaties, there is a strong will to reduce emissions and improve efficiency.
There is a lot to be taken away from this piece of theatre - and I do think it can be classed as theatre. There is a script, a set, very careful, subtle direction and we leave having been challenged.
It's not all doom and gloom. The statistics can seem damning, but human beings are resourceful when we stop, collaborate and listen. We can look beyond our own 5 year plan, our governments four year spell of power, or the time it takes to pay off our morgages. And we must.
If we care about the last and least in our society and the incredible creation we live in, we cannot continue to carry out this slow burning destruction of everything that we have built and discovered.
The subject of our environment should be the highest priority for all of us - not just a few tree hugging fantasists with too much facial hair and little grip on other people’s realities. It affects us all, and especially those who are on the fringes of modern society.
2071 is on at The Royal Court Theatre, London until 15th November. Tickets from £12.
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