Otto von Bismarck once said, "Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made." The challenge for the theatre in presenting such events is that the process is not only messy, it can also be both time-consuming and tedious. However, Kyoto does the next to impossible. It takes the audience inside the procedures of developing an international climate protocol, and it manages to make the dry arguing about language and the Byzantine political strategies absolutely fascinating. Stretching over years of negotiations, it exposes the dark interests at play in a game of political chess that affects everyone of us, while simultaneously presenting the manifold complexities of developing international agreements. To focus this rather abstract and convoluted tale, playwrights Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson have honed in on the character of Don Pearlman, who served in the Reagan government and who became a lobbyist for the major oil companies known as the seven sisters. Pearlman's job is to discourage and delay any agreement on addressing climate change, and his strategies are fascinating. However, the fact that he also acts as the narrator for this piece is sometimes a little confusing, and we always have to consider his bias. Nevertheless, Stephen Kunken puts in an award-worthy performance, and his portrayal of the unscrupulous Pearlman is mesmerising. His interactions with the American representative, perfectly played by Nancy Crane, give a disquieting insight into the relationship that exists between business and government, and his relationship with the Saudi Arabian delegate is almost a parody. As Pearlman's spouse, Shirley, who overlooks what her husband does for a living and effectively abets his behaviour, Jenna Augen also puts in a strong performance. She creates a credible portrait of those who bury their head in the sand and do not assume any social responsibility. The "hero" of the story is Raúl Estrada-Oyuela, the Argentinian diplomat, whom Jorge Bosch portrays as a bumbling Columbo-like figure who ultimately manages to manipulate the protocol's passage. Kyoto is not only first-rate theatre, it provides insight into political processes that we ignore at our peril.
Rated: ★★★★★
Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Manuel Harlan
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