Southwark Playhouse Young Ensemble is a brand new theatre company comprising of young people 19-25yrs from South London; with the aim of giving young people an opportunity to take the next steps into a performing career.
The Trials is a revival of Dawn King play previously staged in 2022 which takes you into the future and a lookback at the catastrophic effects of climate change. This play is not only thought provoking its hard hitting, but you also cannot hide away from the consequences. The serious impact of climate change on future generations, “the ones most affected by it” and planet earth is laid out clearly in Trials.
The play focusses specifically on three people the ‘Dinosaurs’ the older defendant’s explaining within 5 minutes their actions as to why they ‘personally’ contributed to and did not stop the ever-increasing rise in pollution. Because “it was their fault” “through their lifestyle choices this has now significantly impacted on the worlds carbon footprint”.
A validated point you could find hard to argue against.
The dinosaur’s pleas of mitigation were projected via a video link direct to a jury of twelve young jurors seeking justice. Will Monks video design was convincing as it hovered over a sea of faces on the screen in Squid Game fashion choosing the next dinosaur to be on trial.
The jurors would deliberate over the table their ‘heinous’ crimes and sentence them to a guilty or not guilty verdict. For the guilty they would meet their fate.
Dawn King play has its very dark moments and funny lines as the jurors face difficult decision making especially in the face of their own parents on trial. Its poignant, the young cast deliver the emotion with realism, skill and determination; wonderfully directed by Vicky Moran, a true success.
The Trails has unlocked and exposed a real-life drama, offering us a perspective and time to reflect.
By Dawn King
Directed Vicky Moran
Set & Costume Design Natalie Johnson
Lighting & Video Projection Design Will Monks
Sound Design Fergus Carver
This show commences at 7.00 pm 90 minutes no interval
Reviewer: Michelle Knight
Reviewed: 28th August 2025
North West End UK Rating: