Climate change negotiations become entertaining thriller
@sohoplace
Kyoto by Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson, directed by Steven Daldry and Justin Martin, was first presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, before transferring to @sohoplace in London. As many critics commented, the idea of negotiations about climate control offering a good night out seems unlikely but they all found it entertaining. The lead Stephen Kunken was universally praised (‘demonic charm’ Metro).
[Links to full reviews are included but a number are behind paywalls and therefore may not be accessible]
Many media representatives reviewed the production when it was first performed at Stratford-Upon-Avon:
Michael Davis for WhatsOnStage (5★) acknowledged that climate change talks might be off-putting as a subject for a play but assured us it was a ‘drama with a deeply powerful message, delivered with sleight of hand and considerable theatricality, and disguised in a hugely entertaining production’. Suzy Fey for the Financial Times (4★) agreed: ‘Kyoto is more exciting than it has any right to be’. The Observer‘s Susannah Clapp (4★) called it ‘a whirligig show’. Dave Fargnoli in The Stage (4★) said ‘the directing team of Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin instil proceedings with a similar breathless energy’. Mark Lawson for The Guardian (4★) quipped, ‘this play about the diplomatic consequences of commas deserves a string of exclamation marks’.
More reviews followed when Kyoto transferred to London:
Cindy Marcolina at BroadwayWorld (5★) commented, ‘The facts and figures are embroidered into a beckoning, snappy dialogue, naturalistic and throbbing with energy.’ Like others, she praised ‘ Miriam Buether’s exceptional design. Walking into the auditorium feels like entering a conference centre’. She ended her review: ‘Definitely one you can’t miss.’
Nick Curtis of The Standard (4★) called it ‘a taut and gripping thriller’. Time Out‘s Andrzej Lukowski (4★) joked it was ‘so indecently entertaining it almost feels like the result of a bet to choose the dullest, worthiest subject imaginable and make it as fun as humanly possible.’ ‘it’s impressively dynamic’ said Holly O’Mahony at LondonTheatre (4★). Dominic Maxwell in The Times (4★) found it ‘alive with drumming, stand-up comedy monologues, self-aware jokes, nods to the present day.’ (His colleague Clive Davis gave 3 stars in his Stratford review- ‘buckets of primary colours and a fair amount of knockabout humour’.)
Calire Allfree for the Telegraph (3★) acknowledged that ‘this near-three-hour marathon consistently moves with effervescent vigour’ but felt it ‘had little to say about climate change’.
Critics’ Average Rating 4.1★
Kyoto can be seen at @sohoplace until 3 May 2025. Buy tickets directly from the theatre.