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After thrilling audiences with 'Bullet Catch' four years ago, Rob Drummond returns to the National with his latest one-man theatrical experiment, a roundabout look at the principles of democracy.
Its central conceit is that the audience are given handsets with which to register votes. There's a distinctly gameshow feel to proceedings as Drummond asks us questions ranging from our policy on latecomers (we voted to admit them) to our political views (it will shock you to learn the press night audience were over 90 percent white, liberal remainers).
It’s an intriguing if well-trodden idea; only recently audiences at the Lyric Hammersmith were asked to vote on the outcome of courtroom drama 'Terror'. However in Drummond’s hand it's playfully used to raise moral conundrums. Would we save the lives of five neo-Nazis or a single left-winger? Do we believe in absolute free speech? Should we pause the show so that a man can have a pee?
There’s a central narrative thread involving Drummond’s friendship with a socialist bee-keeper he encountered in the wake of the Scottish independence referendum. It’s a relationship that facilitates Drummond’s political awakening – he’d previously been ambivalent – culminating in a violent incident that causes him to question whether his new-found views are justifiable.
But the really interesting idea is the extent to which our lives are governed by the rule of an often slender majority – there’s no need to emphasise the topicality of this. By wrapping it in a story that doesn’t quite resolve itself, something of its impact is lost. And the show’s message gets rather muddled by an ending that sees us voting on an all-too-obvious moral question. Drummond’s regular reminders that 'it’s only theatre' and therefore our votes are largely without consequence also somewhat undermines his central point.
Nevertheless 'The Majority' – which is directed by David Overend and features some neat beehive projections by Mogzi Bromley-Morgans – is an admirably provocative piece of work. And judging by the heated discussions happening around me as I left, it fulfils its aim of kickstarting debate.