REVIEW: DISRUPTION by Andrew Stein at Park Theatre until 5 August 2023

‘a fascinating evening   ... what mighty things could be achieved through new technologies ’ ★★★★★

What if there was an algorithm which helped people to make the big decisions in their lives. Not only that, to make the right decisions, based on personal data collected on the internet.   Wouldn’t that be worth millions? That is the premise for the play in which Nick (Oliver Alvin-Wilson), an AI entrepreneur, and Raven (Sasha Desouza-Willock), the brains behind the project, attempt to raise the funds to develop the system, while at the same time reinforce their belief that the software works.  This is where Nick’s friends come in, three couples who each have a problem to solve.  With Raven goading him on, Nick attempts to persuade each of them to invest and to change their lives for the better.

It's a fascinating evening, presenting several arguments about what mighty things could be achieved through new technologies. Let us forget for the moment that the cloud where such information would be stored, is already over-used and takes up valuable energy. The drama also offers intrigue via the problems that each couple face in their personal lives. These are big life changing decisions; buying the dream home or taking a risk on bigger projects, making the decision to have a baby and deciding whether to get a divorce.

Suzie (Debbie Korley) is all sass and whip smart intelligence whilst husband Ben (Nathaniel Curtis) is highly emotional. Mia (Rosanna Hyland) is jealous and unsure of her husband’s fidelity while Paul (Nick Read) is secretive. Jill (Mika Simmons) is creative and determined to get that beautiful mansion, while Husband Barry (Kevin Shen) has other ambitions which might allow them to realise bigger things.

It's an exceptionally engaging cast helped by Hersh Ellis’ direction.  The scenes roll by in quick succession and he wisely often keeps many of the actors onstage during duologues between the couples. He keeps the focus in the right place and the fast pace makes for exciting viewing.   Also of particular note, the whole lighting set up for the show (designed by Robbie Butler) adds brilliance, with lights shining down creating filaments in the air, and uplighters at the edge of the stage.   At various points the back projection looked like a data dump and the floor was like a printed circuit diagram.   It all adds to the drama giving it a technical edge.

At over two hours long, it is a full evening’s entertainment, but the ending seemed a little abrupt. The cloud breaks bringing a thunderstorm and time moves on to the resolutions. Was the algorithm successful? It’s well worth catching this play and finding out for yourselves.  

Images by Pamela Raith

DISRUPTION by Andrew Stein at Park Theatre 7 July - 5 August 2023

Directed by Hersh Ellis

Box Office: https://parktheatre.co.uk/whats-on/disruption

Cast: NICK | OLIVER ALVIN-WILSON

BEN | NATHANIEL CURTIS

RAVEN | SASHA DESOUZA-WILLOCK

MIA | ROSANNA HYLAND

SUZIE | DEBBIE KORLEY

PAUL | NICK READ

BARRY | KEVIN SHEN

JILL | MIKA SIMMONS

Presented by

Jack DePalma

Todd and Nancy Allan, Rick Feldman, Joanne F. Guerrerio, Max Needle, Bert Rosenblatt, Robert Frier/Andy Tobias in association with Park Theatre

Reviewed by Heather Jeffery