REVIEW: A FINE IDEA by Christine Bacon at Arcola Theatre 10 June – 4 July 2026
‘stories like this should continue to be told’ ★★★ ½
A Fine Idea, a new play by Christine Bacon, based on Jason Hickel’s book The Divide, is set in Kenya in 2024, and deals with the hidden truths surrounding the ‘international development’ plan, first introduced by President Truman. In 90 minutes, the four actors onstage uncover the daunting secrets surrounding the involvements of governments in the global class divide.
The story follows Jo (Ella Bryant’s brilliant stage debut), a young, naïve, British woman working in aid, as she moves to Nairobi, Kenya, for a humanitarian project. A former British colony, almost half of Kenya’s population lives in conditions of extreme poverty. But Jo arrives full of dreams and hopes to make a difference. Her grandfather Ben Hardy himself introduced the idea of ‘international development’ into Truman’s speech back in the 1950s, and now here she finds herself, 75 years later, following his footsteps.
From the start it is clear that Jo is obviously well intended but nonetheless quite ignorant. The first scene – which is a juxtaposition of her job interview and her grandparents pitching the ‘fine idea’ of the ‘international development’ to Truman – shows us what we deep down already know: the plan is a way for the US and Global North to exploit raw materials and resources from the third world while hiding behind a cover of ‘aid’ and blaming poverty on ‘the curse of [European] colonialism’ while the US would aim to ‘make them prosper’. The scene is darkly humourous and almost satirical. ‘I need a term that is empty enough to be incontestable’ declares Ben before finding ‘international development’. Over the moon with their finding, Jo’s grandparents sing together, a song resembling ironically ‘We Are the World’, while Jo finishes her interview before setting off to Kenya, thrilled at the idea of helping people in need. When she meets Kala, a local activist fighting the Kenyan government, her world and what she knows starts to crumble.
Bacon’s writing is witty and feels fully researched. It isn’t preachy, or lecturing the audience, it is sincere: ‘A Fine Idea’ is a story we aren’t hearing enough of at the moment. What is most interesting is how entertaining the play is. It moves at great pace: from magic tricks to a surreal surgery, the many metaphors appeared throughout the play, directed skilfully by Charlotte Westenra, expose brutally yet with great humour the wrong doings of the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and governments.
Grace Saif (who play Kala) is remarkable. Her fiery energy, moving from impeccable comedic timing to heart-breaking tragedy carries the show, and completes Ella Bryant’s sweet and subtle performance.
I only hope stories like ‘A Fine Idea’ continue to be told.
Photography: Beatice Updegraff
A FINE IDEA
A theatrical response to Jason Hickel’s bestseller The Divide
Written by Christine Bacon, Directed by Charlotte Westenra
Arcola Theatre 10 June - 4 July 2026
BOX OFFICE https://www.arcolatheatre.com/event/a-fine-idea/
The Company
Ella Bryant
Jo
Georgina Rich
Laura / Christine
Grace Saif
Kala
Kevin Trainor
Ben / Elio
Christine Bacon
Writer
Charlotte Westenra
Director
Matthew Schmolle for Matthew Schmolle Productions
General Manager
Georgia Wilmot
Set Designer
Emma Williams
Costume Designer
Hartley T A Kemp
Lighting Designer
Tom Smith
Sound Designer
Gurkiran Kaur
Vocal & Accent Coach
Jonny Berliner
Composer
Kev McCurdy
Fight and Movement Director
Lewis Champney
Production Manager for eStage
Laura Whittle
Stage Manager
Genevieve Papadopoulos
Assistant Stage Manager
Nadine Rennie CDG
Casting Director
John Bulleid
Illusion Designer
Muniira Ali
Assistant Director
Chris May
Assistant Lighting Designer
Eleni Foundoukis
Costume Supervisor
Anne Dillow at Möbius
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