Review: FRACKED!, Richmond Theatre

Alistair Beaton has solid form as a political satirist as writer on Spitting Image and author of The Trial of Tony Blair. In Fracked! he turns his hand to the political hot potato of drilling for shale gas in the sedate countryside village of Fenstock. It is a story pitting the malign forces of corporate company Deerland Energy against the virtues of the reasonable and just campaign against them, spearheading by protesting pensioner Elizabeth Blackwood.

As Elizabeth's campaign gains traction, she quickly finds herself trending on Twitter, reluctantly supported by her husband Jack who secretly wants nothing more than to return to the quiet evenings of shepherd's pie and Scrabble.

Fracked! starts promisingly; a community meeting to answer questions about intended fracking in the village is staged so that actors are placed in the audience to heckle and film proceedings. We are introduced to the corporate presentation of fracking and the amoral PR firm, Moxley Biggleswade, hired to soften the blow and present a very selective view on the process.

The subject is well researched. Beaton presents a very clear description of fracking, interwoven deftly into the narrative and why it presents problems. The impact of this on normal, everyday people is presented in a stark manner and the writing is sharp and witty.

However, Fracked! quickly morphs into a Sunday evening sitcom, with a slow, plodding pace and tired jokes about swearing and how older people can't use a computer. The introduction of activist characters Jenny and her toyboy Sam is awkward and clichéd, with Sam as a green-haired hippy who reads auras and only drinks warm water.

It's a shame there is so little balance in the argument; it is clear that Beaton himself is against fracking and wants to portray it in as bad a light as possible. The character of Hal, who is the head of Deerland Energy is relatively reasonable, but overall, everyone who is pro-fracking is bad, especially the corrupt and often shocking PR consultant Joe. Everyone who is against it is a hero. Beaton even offers a justification for nimby-ism, as a reasonable reaction to any threat to your way of life.

There are some nice performances; Anne Reid is Elizabeth, the retired academic who finds herself a reluctant activist. She is persuasive in her arguments, as she comes across as reasoned, intelligent and calm. James Bolan as gently resentful Jack is very amusing at times and the relationship between the two is convincing and genuinely likeable.

Harry Haden-Paton is slick PR man Joe; he intentionally lacks charm and is slick and offensive in equal measure. One particular meltdown he has in the office is very funny as he borders on hysterical meltdown over his plans being thwarted.

There are other characters that seem superfluous. Hal's assistant Emma and campaigner Sam are both very one dimensional and add nothing to the story. Everything needs to be tightened up; in one scene Steven Roberts plays an aloof and verbose waiter, serving corrupt councillor Neville and PR man Joe. The scene has much comic potential, but is overlong and feels slow.

James Cotterill's effective set revolves between the sleek white offices of the PR company and the warm, homely setting of Elizabeth and Jack's kitchen, complete with AGA and lacey net curtains. The contrast is suitably stark.

Overall Fracked! seems like a missed opportunity; some good performances and hints of satirical comedy are overshadowed by overt political posturing that gives the audience nothing to debate.

Fracked! is at Richmond Theatre until 13th May

Photo Credit: Catherine Ashmore

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