Describing itself as “a retelling of Rapunzel” for the climate age, Debating Extinction, the first of a double bill entitled Climate Fables, by Padraig Bond, contains several interesting ideas, though presented in a format which doesn’t always allow them to realise their full potential.
Showing the very human impact of an often abstract debate
Miranda and Susan are a mother/daughter pairing surviving on their own in a climate apocalypse. Whilst Miranda seeks to recultivate the earth’s nature and waits for permanent human extinction, Susan longs to escape to the remaining pockets of civilisation alongside her lover Teddy and their unborn child. A compelling emotional core, showing the very human impact of an often-abstract debate about our potential future, the show is at its best when this emotional core is allowed to sit, particularly with the dynamic of the hopeful Teddy and the slightly cautious Susan. However, it is undercut at times by unfitting attempts to introduce elements of mystery and the supernatural into a script which doesn’t need it to succeed.
Despite the small stage often making certain scenes feeling a bit cramped, the cast is able to clearly present the impact of a world ravaged by climate change. Kirsten Hoffman’s description of Miranda’s desire to bring back the colour of nature to a world rotted by climate change helps to sell the regret of what was lost, whilst Tibor Lazar’s Teddy presents a strong sense of hope with an interesting description of the world beyond the limited setting of the piece. Penelope Dean’s Susan sells her feelings towards Teddy and her mother well along with the difficulty of the decision she must make, whilst making the emotional impact of giving birth in a world left for dead abundantly clear.
Whilst the story at points becomes a little confused and some elements slow down the pace, the core is certainly strong. With a focus on human relationships, Torch Theatre brings to life not only the consequences of our actions on climate change, but the very human decisions those who are left to deal with our actions may have to make themselves.
