Foreverland Review

October 7, 2024

Foreverland Review

2nd – 19th October 2024

If you had the opportunity to live forever, would you take it? This question lies at the heart of Emma Hemingford’s Foreverland currently playing at Southwark Playhouse.

In this dystopian new production, a young couple, Alice (Emma McDonald) and Jay (Christopher York) are given the opportunity to join a programme to extend their lives. Through a complex process of gene therapy, the couple become fixed while the world ages around them. As the plot unfolds, Alice and Jay’s relationship begins to corrode as the reality of eternity sets in. Emma Hemingford draws thematic inspiration from the current socio-political climate with the ever increasing health inequality gap and attitudes towards multiculturalism.

“Emma Hemingford draws thematic inspiration from the current socio-political climate with the ever increasing health inequality gap and attitudes towards multiculturalism”

The opening scene of the production in which the couple are discussing the procedure with a doctor (Valerie Antwi) is perfectly paced. Hemingford’s clever writing, coupled with Frederick Wienand’s artistic direction, creates a well thought out start to the production that anticipates an entirely feasible near future.

In the second half of the production, tension is high as time slips through the fingers of Alice and Jay’s daughter (Una Byrne) who has decided to remain mortal. The relationship between mother and daughter suffers as Alice begins to fall victim to agoraphobia and anxiety. McDonald’s physical and emotional portrayal of Alice is outstanding as the actor brings each of the conflicting facets of the protagonist’s personality to life.

There are a few occasions where it feels like a moral lesson is flippantly shoehorned into the dialogue where it does not necessarily fit. Despite each theme tackled by the script undeniably warranting discussion, I would have just liked to see the script focus on and explore one moral lesson at a time as to not dilute each issue.

The lighting was effectively used throughout, breathing life into the otherwise barren stage. Equally, the sound and music choices were spot on, creating an illusion of time slipping away.