Simon Ward reviews Londongrad :Tech Takeover at the Courtyard Theatre

One has to feel for political satirists writing in the current febrile climate. No sooner has one scandal broken than there is a string of resignations and a whole new crew has stepped in to start all over again. It is rather unfair that the machinations around Andy Burnham’s whirlwind ascent to the premiership make writer and director Athena Atherton’s satirical take on his predecessor’s travails seem a bit out of date. She does manage to squeeze in a nod to the North and an election involving a bin – no doubt there will be a new take in due course for the latest administration.

Nevertheless, this is a very funny show, even if the plot does not have quite enough propulsive power to fully deliver the weight of its message. Indeed, the message can at times seem as unfocused as some people accused Sir Keir Starmer of being. Although, to be very clear, ho ho, this is not a play about SKS – it is very definitely about Keira Palmer (Cassia Crimin) and the problems caused her by appointing Lord William Randelson (Cameron Wright) on the advice of her top strategist Leela Fenwick (Mollie Kerigan). Also in the mix is Technology Minister and AI evangelist Aisha Christian (Sharone Kallinga), who is advocating the government go all-in on AI and join forces with Peter Thiel and Palantir. Yes, this is the real Peter Thiel and Palantir – the notorious video of Thiel failing to endorse the idea of the continuance of the human race opens proceedings. I can only hope that they have good lawyers.

The chemistry between the lead players is good. Crimin does an excellent job portraying a dithering idiot who from time to time will jump to an arbitrary decision just to try and seem in control. Fenwick enthusiastically buys into the myth of her own Machiavellian genius, right until the point at which the wheels fall off. Wright plays to perfection the entitled dilettante unable to take any responsibility for the chaos he inevitably brings about. And Kallinga brings an air of determination, competence and fervent zeal even when met with derision and dismissive attitudes. All the classic criticisms are played out – that Starmer/Palmer is just an empty vessel entirely the creature of McSweeney/Fenwick, that they are betting the farm on AI with no fallback, that Mandelson/Randelson’s supposed skill as the billionaire whisperer was never enough to justify a crazy appointment.

This is a multi-media production with a witty top and tail video presented by Athena Atherton and a whole Power Point to boot. There is even a Londongrad song which is rather lost as it is played as the audience is dispersing. This is one of those shows where there is just not enough time to cram everything in. But the real star of proceedings, as the plot moves from McGuffin to McGuffin to its fateful climax, is the Alexa-like super AI device known as Humphrey. As chatty and encouraging as any LLM could be, all the while plotting our downfall, it is really impossible to resist him. Voiced by Cameron Wright, he is a brilliant creation, and, weirdly enough, brings a human warmth that is often lacking as the other characters relentlessly jockey for position.

Londongrad :Tech Takeover is playing as part of the Camden Fringe Festival at the Courtyard Theatre, 40, Bowling Green Walk, Pitfield Street, London N1 6EU until Monday 10th August