Younger generations tend to be more vocal about tackling the world’s problems and especially the hot topic of the climate crisis.
Writer Dawn King’s intriguing play, The Trials is bang on the button at addressing the different takes on how issues are seen by young and old.
The 2022 book is currently being performed on stage by the Tron Theatre Company in Glasgow and the teenage cast, back up by three adults, are spot on.
As the play begins, way in the future somewhere, Jessica Worrrall’s minimalistic set has the window open, with puffs of sepia smoke belching in to signify the nausea of the outside world.
But it’s not just the climate which is under scrutiny, more importantly, the play takes a look at the bitterness towards the world from the young and their take on justice.
The cast of 12 teenagers are gathered together to decide whether particular members of their parents’ generation are climate crisis criminals.
The three defendants played by Brian Ferguson, Maryam Hamidi and Pauline Goldsmith have worked for advertising and oil companies, had non vegan children and flown round the world for leisure. All making them guilty in the eyes of the young.
The jurors balance the facts of the three cases and decide whether there are mitigating factors or are they out for revenge against the “dinosaur” generation, with severe penalties.
Director Joanna Bowman makes sure the play flows quickly with high energy and human emotions are drawn out as the jurors reveals their own weaknesses.
Introducing themselves with their preferred pronouns, the cast, Noah (Oskar Waring), Sarah (Mary Tompkins), Amelia (Victoria Mamvuto), Mack (Alec Dolinsky-Fraser), Tam (Tamer Hayou), Ren (Hollie Hart), Morgan (Poppy Simpson), Gabi (Lizzie MacKenzie), Chris (Teddy Burns), Zoe (Elizabeth Peat), Adi (Calum Morrison), Kae (Una Reid) are confident in their roles and bring their characters out with ease and youthful exuberance.
In between their seriousness at deciding the fate of the climate defendants, the youngsters show what’s important to them, from trendy nail colours to enjoying their food.
The play tackles the important subject of the how generations have affected the climate with their decisions, but it’s also a closer look at just how emotions and conceived ideas can blur the ultimate result.
It’s modern, bright and above all, downright captivating!
The Trials is playing at the Tron Theatre, Glasgow until Saturday 14th March 2026. For more information and ticket availability, please visit: www.tron.co.uk.
Author Bio:
Rebecca Hay is an experienced travel writer and member of The British Guild of Travel Writers. Follow her adventures with her family on Twitter and Instagram @emojiadventurer and on Facebook via EmojiAdventurers2.
Photographs by Mihaela Bodlovic
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