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The Beautiful Future is Coming

Traverse Theatre

Four stars

 

A storm may be looming in Flora Wilson Brown’s beautiful new play, but as it’s title suggests, there is still some kind of hope. That hope comes through the three women from past, present and future whose appliance of science attempts to change the all-encroaching climate crisis and prevent the end of the world as we know it. 

 

In nineteenth century New York, Eunice tries to convince the scientific hierarchy of her ideas about the climate, but is either dismissed as an amateur or else patronised for being a woman dabbling in such lofty pursuits. Her collaborator John may have faith in her, but even he sees her considerable brainpower as a novelty. 

 

In a near future that will soon be now, Claire and Dan feel the heat as they fall for each other and plan a life together out of London. When the damage caused by floods intrude, extreme measures provoke a wake up call beyond everyday tragedy. 

 

Three quarters of a century from now in an Arctic research facility, Ana and Malcolm search for a particular grain to offset a food shortage. Ana’s pregnancy adds to the air of expectation and yearning for sustenance. 

 

As the scenes overlap between time zones, a wonderful sense of propulsion emerges from Nancy Mendes’ Bristol Old Vic production to give the play its beating heart. The dialogue is fast, with the archaic speech of Eunice and John and the heightened future-talk of Ana and Malcolm framing the easy back and forth of Claire and Dan. 

 

The cast captures this beautifully, with Phoebe Thomas a steely and determined Eunice offset by John’s devotion captured by Matt Whitchurch. Rosie Dwyer as Ana and James Bradwell as Malcolm portray a similar relationship. Most tender of all, however, are Nina Singh as Claire and Jyuddah Jaymes as Dan. 

 

This gentle tone recalls the sort of hippy science fiction eco-fables that came out of the more reflective side of the 1960s counter culture. The power of Wilson Brown’s text comes from that same understatement. Its sheer humanity goes beyond easy polemic to fire its longing for the world to be a better place with a vital theatrical life-force. 

 

Until August 24, various times


The Herald, August 5th 2025

 

Ends

 

 

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