WITH uncanny timing given the state of international affairs at present, Salisbury Playhouse’s latest production, The Children, is set in the wake of a nuclear disaster.
This is due, not to war, but to a tidal wave swamping a poorly-designed power station on the coast and causing some kind of meltdown.
You can tell from the lack of detail in this description that I’m not a scientist! Unlike the three characters in this unsettling but absorbing play, who are all scientists, of the retired nuclear variety.
I do recommend it. No need to give away the plot, but it operates on several levels – about sexual relationships, about parenting, about our failure to live up to our global responsibilities, about what kind of world we are leaving to future generations.
It’s often funny, which might seem weird given the seriousness of the subject matter, but it’s a slow burner building to a distinctly unfunny climax. Very clever.
Anyway, you hardly need me to draw the link between potential nuclear catastrophe, the recent Russian occupation of Chernobyl, and the terrifying carelessness of those invading forces.
But it’s not unreasonable to also look at Britain’s response to the current situation. How do we reduce our reliance on oil and gas to protect ourselves against future disruption to supply systems? Why, sure, with more wind and solar farms, but also, according to Boris Johnson, with eight more nuclear power stations dotted around our coastline.
“This is the home of nuclear energy,” boasted our Prime Minister. “We’re bringing nuclear home!”
He made it all sound so simple. So safe. Not quite a quick-fix solution, but a great soundbite to quieten current anxiety. Another of his three-word mantras – Bring Nuclear Home. I’m sure he meant to instil confidence in his listeners. If only I could share it.
Perhaps he should pop along to the Playhouse.
Picture by Simon Aanand
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