Time-bomb
| What’s it about: | Love, hope and the Law in climate-crisis Essex |
| Where are we: | On the streets, in a court-room |
| Why now?: | The climate catastrophe is happening. Gen Z are angry and at risk, families, generations divide. The Law cracks down on protest. Governments move too slowly. What’s the way through? |
| Synopsis: | Maria, climate activist, is arrested, tried and convicted for closing a vital motorway for two days. Furious Gen Z activists are eloquent and tangle with the court. They’re also jokey and fun, sorry for the disruption but the climate is bigger – and there is a way out, if only ‘they’ would concentrate, act. Jason loves Maria but tries to persuade her of a different way. Baby boomers worry they should have done more, sooner. Maria and Jason try to resolve. Activists face the Law. Audience are the Jury. The planet heats. |
| Who’s in it: | Maria Wilderland, mid-30s, climate activist and mountaineer Jason Potter, Maria’s partner, geophysicist Ensemble – Jade, Leonora and Mohammed (teen/20s), local climate activists; Prosecuting Counsel; Defence Counsel, Judge Cadwallader; Mrs Sylvia Cadwallader, his/her wife; Mr Wilson; Linda Darling |
| Musical style mix: | Rap/pop; musicalized verbatim; classic musical theatre Energetic, dark, humorous, uplifting Setting and action are abstract, driven by music/dance. |
| Verbatim source: | The trial of Decker & Trowland, April 2023. Decker and Trowland climbed the Dartford Bridge and stopped traffic for two days. Found guilty of obstructing the public – imprisoned for up to 3 years. |
| Who could do it: | Mid-scale: found spaces; colleges, festivals, touring theatres; the Inns of Court; large scale: the National, RSC. |
| Who’s writing: | Kitch – rap/composer Ian Grant – book and lyrics Candida Caldicot – songwriter/composer Christopher Walker– music supervisor and composer |
“Standing on the Edge” was performed by professional artists and students during the first workshop of Time-bomb in April 2024.