[title]
Edward Snowden: hero or traitor? Hero, obviously – that’ll be £17 please. That’s as far as the political and ethical discourse goes in this new play from writer Richard Roques, in which NSA representatives deliver their lines like panto villains and the eponymous fugitive becomes a dreamy, freedom fighting idol.
A comprehensive knowledge of the story is assumed, which is fine, but we’re pretty sure even Jon Snow would have trouble keeping up with what’s going on here. Aside from Ben Fisher as Snowden – actually very decent – the nine-strong cast tackle several roles each, which they often slip into without the slightest change of costume or accent (or even an introduction).
It doesn’t help that set, lighting and sound design are non existent, (with the exception of a scene in which a gay couple tackle an intruding monkey that’s so unfunny and tangential it borders on offensive), so prepare to be baffled as the action shifts from one anonymous, nondescript locale to another.
True, the Waterloo East Theatre’s stage isn’t the biggest, but we’ve seen hundreds of more creatively executed productions in spaces half its size.
As one of the most intriguing and significant scandals of our time, the Snowden story definitely has at least a couple of great productions in it (Oliver Stone is already working on a movie). Unfortunately, this drab, unimaginative, poorly pitched play just simply isn’t one of them. Which is a shame, really, because it’s undoubtedly used up the best title.