REVIEW: Anthropocene by Ben Wendel at Baron’s Court Theatre 13 – 17 August 2025

‘Are viruses alive?’ ★★★★★

Reading the premise for ‘Anthropocene’ for the first time I’ll admit I was sceptical. A play about a daughter grieving the loss of her cancer stricken mother, which claims to span the beginning of our planet as well as the ten thousand year history of humanity, all unfolding through movement, sound and imagery, within the parameters of a four by three metre stage. Ambitious would be an understatement. Which is why it is a delight to write that this seventy five minute play does all this with flying colours.

To give a brief rundown of the narrative, Diana, played by a superb Rosie Yates, finds a notebook of her mother’s research as an environmental scientist, which makes the bold assertion that she was pursuing the goal of preventing climate catastrophe. Determined to figure out and complete her mother’s mission leads Diana down a road that will hopefully save her from her grief, and our planet from its inhabitants. Joining Rosie on stage are Naomi Paxton as Doctor Johann, channelling the charm of Rory Sunderland, Jasper Price as George, bringing charisma to a part that could have been overshadowed by more interesting characters, and Patrick Stain, a stand out who’s pain seeps through his humour.

All of this is interspersed with planetarium style vignettes of the Big Bang, Cambrian explosion, and the dawn of man. These are brought to life through the use of dynamic lighting, projection, physicality of the actors and a few household furnishings and sheets. The direction by Emily Hawkins and James Christensen feels fully realised with a deep understanding of the playwright’s designing principle. The ethereal music, composed by the accomplished Ross Baille-Eames, transforms the intimate space of the Baron’s Court Theatre into a diaphanous concert hall.

To conclude this piece of theatre that deals with motifs which upon their surface could be considered dense (it doesn’t get much bleaker than cancer and global warming) is a magnificent work of climate positivism that leaves the audience in awe not only of the technical craft of its creators, but also of the entire span of the universe.



ANTROPOCENE by Ben Wendel at Baron's Court theatre

Part of Camden Fringe

Dates - August 13th to August 17th

Performers - Rosie Yates, Naomi Paxton, Jasper Price, and Patrick Stain

Directed by Emily Hawkins and James Christensen

Box Office Link - https://camdenfringe.com/events/anthropocene/