Simon Ward reviews Outside Voice at the Soho Poly Theatre

Tucked away in the West End side streets, and just around the corner from the BBC, this location has been a hub for arts activities since at least the late 1960s. In recent years it has been restored as a charming re-addition to the London scene. There is fun to be had spotting the stars in their early theatrical forays in the photo gallery on the stairs down to the stage. I admit to some concerns about spending ninety minutes in a basement in the middle of a heatwave, but thankfully the climate control worked well.

Written by Matthew Morrison and directed by Hanna Berrigan, this is an urgently topical play, which I suspect will leave audiences debating its themes for long after the virtual curtain falls. Viewed through a philosophical lens, the show tackles questions of academic freedom, whether and how we can trust medical science, and what happens when publicly-stated attitudes come up against deeply personal challenges. Acted with conviction by a cast of four, the story plunges us into a world where online conspiracy theories clash directly with the rigorous demands of scientific evidence-based research. It is also candid about the limits of what science and medicine can do – not everything can be cured and nor can everyone be saved.

The story revolves around disgraced doctor and medical researcher Guy (Phil Cheadle) and his philosopher wife Helen (Vis Eliot Safavi). He has been discredited by his university following a misuse of patient data, but has built a new life and fledging career online as a podcaster – as he might put it, simply asking questions that others dare not ask. She, meanwhile, has stood by him in spite of his fall, because she believes that at heart he is sincere and believes in his work. Guy’s former colleague and friend Mike (played with ferocious intensity by Dan Starkey) is utterly furious with him. His anger is both professional and personal; his daughter Eve (Elle O’Donnell) has cancer at an advanced stage and is extremely vulnerable to the claims of the snake-oil merchants that Guy will give a platform to.

Nicky Bunch’s set design provides a clinical setting of pristine white boxes and medical labels, which cleverly opens up to provide all the props needed for the play. However, this added to a sense that the piece erred on the side of being too cold and intellectual. With the exception of Mike’s outbursts, there is very little emotion or humour on display, and all the characters’ challenges seem to be examined at arm’s length. Even Eve’s tragic predicament fails to move. Nevertheless, it is a fascinating and challenging piece of work. Helen is happiest when she is outlining the terms of discussion and how a decision might be made, but she has to step out of her comfort zone and face up to the agony of choice. And the play reminds us that we do too.

Outside Voice is running at the Soho Poly Theatre, 16 Riding House St, London W1W 7DT until Saturday 5th July