Disruption – Park Theatre, London

Writer: Andrew Stein

Director: Hersh Ellis

This review is written by a living, breathing human being, a point that seems worth making in view of the imminent advance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Hopefully, the same declaration can be made by Andrew Stein with regard to his ultra-modern morality tale, unfortunately titled as the press performance coincides with widespread disruption on the London Underground.

Oliver Alvin-Wilson brings a Satanic presence to the role of disruptor-in-chief whose name is Nick (obviously). His challenge is to persuade three old friends, all New Yorkers, to sell their souls to him by investing in the development of a new all-seeing, all-doing algorithm. He claims that George Clooney has already jumped on board, so it must be a safe bet. Nick’s sidekick in this venture is the alluring Raven (Sasha Desouza-Willock), the character presumably named in honour of the master of the macabre Edgar Allan Poe.

The three friends – Ben (Nathaniel Curtis), Paul (Nick Read) and Barry (Kevin Shen) – are involved in tangled relationships with three women – Mia (Rosanna Hyland), Suzie (Debbie Korley) and Jill (Mika Simmons). The algorithm promises to provide the answers to all life’s key dilemmas, such as: should we buy a run-down brownstone property in Brooklyn that we can’t afford? Should we have a baby? Should we stay married?

Tracking the ups and downs of six self-obsessed, angst-ridden New York professionals, the play often resembles a triple bill of Friends episodes, strung together and modernised. There seems to be no situation that cannot be improved with a wisecrack, suiting Stein’s liking for piling on the clichés. Dire warnings of the dangers of AI, along the same lines as those issued by our politicians almost daily, are incorporated into the script, but they become secondary to the relationship stories and the devilish Nick disappears into the background in the second act.

No on-stage chair is left unmoved in director Hersh Ellis’s brash, futuristic staging, which comes with projected images and, briefly near the end, bizarre movement. A special mention also goes to lighting designer Robbie Butler for dazzling us with special effects, although some sections of the audience could appreciate more effort being put into making all the actors visible.

Jumping on the bandwagon of our newest cause for collective paranoia, Disruption is slick, smart and empty, more disappointing than disrupting. If this is a glimpse into the theatre of the future, let’s give AI a chance to do better..

Runs until 5 August 2023