Stage Review - Minority Report

Jodie McNee as Julia 
Minority Report live on stage

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A play based on the 1956 sci-fi novella publication of The Minority Report by American author, Philip K. Dick (1928-1982), and adapted for stage by English actor and writer, David Haig; this production is a fantastic achievement - from early conception to its live performance...a monumental undertaking!

Setting is mid 21st-century, futuristic London. The first scene opens with a tenth anniversary event marking the start of the Precrime agency. 

Over this past decade the Precrime programme have fitted the adult population with micro-implants. Feedback analysis, using advanced technology, have enabled individuals to be identified as having a criminal brain and so they are then singled out. These people may not be conscious of the fact that they have murderous intention, but the facility is able to establish this as true through a specific kind of brain activity each presents. Then, using methods of law enforcement and as part of the programme they are dealt with before the crime is committed.

The brain box behind Precrime is its founder and CEO, Julia Anderton and husband, George. Of course, there are those that protest against the implementation of the system, citing Julia and her organisation as a breach of human rights, accusing the agency as taking away peoples' freedom of thought.

Julia, on the other hand, believes her ideal as being pretty much foolproof and flawless and that the country has been a safer place since its introduction. Ironically, Julia herself is named in a written pre-murderer prophecy, so she is suddenly on the run in an effort to avoid her own system of criminalization doing its job on her. However, when her record reveals a minority report (an MR), she is forced to dig deeper into her organisation for answers.

Jodie McNee gives us a Julia with conviction and sincerity, and, as the story is from her character's viewpoint, we invest in her journey through. Julia, is very much the corporate figurehead with a strong will and a real belief in her creation; those close however, harbour secrets and are skulduggery in action.

Jodie McNee as Julia, and Tanvi Virmani as the digital assistant, David
The stage production of Minority Report 2024

Actor, Nick Fletcher slowly reveals George's dark horse characteristics and Tanvi Virmani as Julia's somewhat disengaged, digital assistant, is a delight and so are the illusions attached to David's appearances.

The full cast members provide some thrilling scenes with physical performances that are as equally impressive as the high quality dialogue spoken; with such a well devised and well written playscript and expert direction at its source, is a big enough reason as to why this is so good.

Members of the cast performing in the stage performance of Minority Report

The other big reason to be impressed by this production is all one can attach to the work and creations of the creative and production teams. Spellbinding visual and sound effects accompany the players that the reviewer does not recall the stage in The House at Birmingham's Rep looking so excitingly monochromatic. 

The stage has skyscrapers above and underground bunkers below. The story involves transportation and vehicles moving at the speed of the chase and design aspects and stage direction incorporates the sense of movement extremely well.

The sound is dynamic and at sometimes audio booms and is robotronic too. The designer's present colourful videos of newsflash stories as they break and use various light projection techniques and sound effects which overall creates the various mood, tone and are crucial elements to the flow of the story and for dramatic scenes.

Whether you're a sci-fi fan or not, know that Minority Report displays the very best of what theatre can offer.

**ENDS**

Review by Theatre Critic, Debra Hall who attended the evening performance of Minority Report on Thursday March 28 2024

REFERENCES

Google.com

The Birmingham Repertory Theatre Press Release for Minority Report 07 March 2024


The Birmingham Repertory Theatre newly approved production photos 08 March 2024


The Birmingham Repertory Theatre Minority Report The Major Sci-fi Thriller Live on Stage printed programme 2024


Super Summary https://www.supersummary.com/minority-report/summary/