Action at a Distance – Zoo Southside, Edinburgh

Writer: Rory Horne

Director: Nina Cavaliero

Reviewer: David Doyle

Over the last number of years Zoo has built up something of a reputation for showcasing some of the most promising new writing at the Edinburgh Fringe and Rory Horne’s Action At A Distance firmly cements that standing this year. A thought provoking piece exploring American drone strikes, the show is an exciting introduction to a promising new writing talent.

Chris, an out of work plumber in a small Nevada town stumbles across Josh, a charity worker who is devoting his life to exposing the impact of drone strikes in Iraq and Syria, and as their relationship blossoms, Chris is sent down a path which forces her to confront the darkest of ethical dilemmas. Developed as a final year project while at university, the script is peppered with a deep and rich understanding of contemporary American politics.

With a sparse set and simple production values, the show’s greatest strength lies in its writing. Horne manages to merge a strong naturalistic voice with a nuanced exploration of the ethical complexities of American foreign policy. Aided by convincing performances, Horne’s script offers a deft look at American citizens detachment from international actions in an accessible and entertaining manner.

A promising debut from a young company, Argonaut are definitely a group to keep an eye on over the coming years. Nina Cavaliero’s direction combined with Horne’s writing is much of what makes the Fringe so exciting, emerging talent presenting clever and exciting work. With tight writing, smart direction and a stimulating exploration of an important subject matter, this show is worth the early morning start to see.

Runs until 22 August 2017 | Image: Contributed