This is one of those plays that you can’t really say anything about as saying anything much would spoil the surprise. But whoever programmed this was eerily alert to how the past month would and did unfold. The timing – as libraries burn, neighbours turn against each other and Elon Musk predicts the end of the world (again) – is perfect.
You’ll find Nation in Paines Plough‘s gorgeous Roundabout in Summerhall‘s backyard. The show starts with the lights up. A single performer, Sam Ward, looks around at the audience. There’s a bit of a sound effect and the story begins.
There are two interesting things about Ward’s script. The attempt to involve the audience in the story is one. We are given (non-speaking) parts. We become onlookers on a local high street. Then parts are given out. Someone is chosen as the butcher, someone else the baker. One man is dubbed as a little dog with pointy ears. The play is delivered as a mildly declamatory monologue, hopping between a storyteller who uses us to people his high street and an omniscient narrator who recounts unfolding events in and around that high street. Ward addresses us across the long toppled fourth wall with a nod and a wink that’s intriguing.
The second interesting thing – the proper wonder of theatre in the round – is the attempt to make the audience complicit in the events that unfold. There’s a tantalising analogy that’s maybe strung out a little bit too long. There’s a sketching of the consequences that might make you question which side you’re on. But Nation‘s ambition leaves little room for empathy so the overall effect is like sitting through a lesson from a really clever teacher. You come away from it with a head full of words but uncertain that you’ve really learnt anything new.
Nation is at ROUNDABOUT @ Summerhall until Mon 26 Aug 2024 (except Tue 13 & 20th) at 10:30