Mimmi Bauer, Patrycja Dynowska and Michal Szpak’s Three Billion Letters focuses on the impact of DNA, how everyone everywhere is inter-related since the Neanderthals and how we are still evolving. These are interesting themes which could provide the basis for a fascinating exploration of heritage and cultural identity and a reminder that we leave our DNA traces everywhere.
Unfortunately, this production comes over as part TED-talk on DNA science and part experimental drama workshop. Attempts to involve the audience fall flat. Sections of the audience are moved around the auditorium, with one group deemed to be “superior” because they can taste something the “inferior” group cannot. Later, for no discernible reason, the audience is split into those who have grey hair and those who do not. There’s a quasi-religious call-and-response section praising Darwin and evolution, and a picnic conducted in German with a bemused member of the audience.
Trying to get the audience on their feet to dance to “Wild Thing” is met with reticence and confusion. Performers run in and out, deliver pieces about science, blow bubbles or strew rose petals while dressed as a flower-girl at a wedding. At one point, a performer in a hazmat suit takes DNA swabs from four members of the audience. Hopefully, if this isn’t simply acted, these audience members are pre-selected and their prior consent obtained. Either way, this feels invasive and inappropriate. The DNA-filled vials are used as a visual aid to ask the audience whether this genetic material should be retained or destroyed. The cast then try to morph the show into a brief discussion of the ethics of DNA profiling and genetic manipulation.
Glass orbs hanging from the ceiling, and a large mechanical crane, form the set. Whether these are intended to indicate connections to the universe or DNA molecules or something else is unclear. One of the orbs is shattered and releases a shower of white paper. Confetti? DNA? The Big Bang? Again, not even a hint of a meaning or a connection to the rest of the performance is given.
There’s clearly some good material here, but as it is, this show is an incoherent jumble of ideas stitched randomly together, leaving just a sense of confusion and pointlessness.
Three Billion Letters is playing at the Riverside Studios until 17th August. Tickets are on sale from: https://riversidestudios.co.uk/
Reviewer: Carole Gordon
Reviewed: 12th August 2025
North West End UK Rating: