Theatre / Bristol old vic
‘Art dares us to imagine a better future’: Nancy Medina on bringing a climate change play to Bristol Old Vic
Among the most anticipated productions to grace the Bristol Old Vic stage in 2025 is Flora Wilson Brown’s ambitious play, The Beautiful Future is Coming.
Spanning 250 years, it interweaves the stories of three characters experiencing different facets of climate change.
In New York, in 1852, Eunice (based on the 19th century female scientist Eunice Foote) is concerned by her research findings into the warming properties of CO₂ in sunlight.
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Fast forward to 2027, and Claire is in London, a city contending with the impacts of ever-more extreme weather. And nearly 75 years later, in 2100 in a seedbank in Svalbard, a pregnant woman called Ana is researching new farming techniques, as “an 86-day storm” rages outside.
Conscious that it might be hard for people to hear the message of story that strikes too alarming or negative a tone, and recognising the way in which humour can cut through where gravity cannot, Wilson Brown decided to make a funny play about the climate crisis.
The three-week run overlaps with the Bristol Festival of Nature, who will be joining forces as culture and sustainability partners for the show, and the production will be complemented by ancillary activities aimed particularly at engaging young people.
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As a focus for this, a five metre ‘living tree’ will be installed in the theatre foyer, and an audio project will be created featuring participants’ hopes for what a ‘beautiful future’ might look like for them.
Discussing attempts to promote optimism and positive action around the play, Bristol Old Vic artistic director Nancy Medina – who will also be directing – is drawn to the power of art as an agent for change. Joining Bristol24/7, she reflected on what drew her to Wilson Brown’s writing:
How did Flora’s play strike you on first reading it?
“I found the play so beautifully written, so incredibly funny and charming and tender. But I also had an immense emotional response to it, especially as a mother and as someone that is constantly thinking around how we engage people through art and the important things that society cares about.
“The environmental crisis for me seems sometimes to be overshadowed by lots of overwhelming, scary news stories, such that we rarely ever think about just the human and the personal; about who is most affected by climate change. That’s what Flora’s play made me think about; my next-door neighbour, the person across the street or in the next town, which then made me think more globally and made me understand how I am absolutely a citizen of this world. It made me care.”
In what ways did you find it surprising or challenging? Or did it trigger an emotional response?
“I cried! It just made me feel part of the fabric of this universe and connected to everyone. What surprised me was how skillfully the three different timelines flowed into each other and how through the journey of the play I’m understanding the past, present and future almost seamlessly – it’s stunning.
“One of the best things in the play was that even though we’re exploring three different time periods – 1852, 2027 and 2100 – it very much is that the past is the past and the future is unknown. Actually 2027 – the time that is closest to us – is the one that feels most active, and those are the characters that have the most capacity of choice and are able to change and affect things – it’s incredibly intentional of the writer.”
In a world where climate anxiety can be overwhelming and inhibiting, what is the role of art?
“I’m a pretty hopeful person. I truly believe art isn’t just a representation of reality – it’s daring us to creatively imagine a better future and a better society. It allows a space for us to reflect, potentially to heal, but also to remember that we shouldn’t stay stagnant – we have to keep moving forward.”
What do Bristol Old Vic audiences stand to gain most from coming to watch The Beautiful Future is Coming?
“I think Bristol is already in a strong position to be very aware and active in the challenges that this play brings up regarding what’s happening in the world. It’s a very environmentally conscious city and there’s live conversation happening all the time.
“If anything, what this play offers to that conversation is that sense that we must always remember to come back to the personal and the human; to those that are most vulnerable and being affected by the environmental crisis. Those who don’t have the platform to be able to shout about what is happening.”
How might this play translate into meaningful action on the climate?
“That’s to be discussed! I just really hope people leave feeling moved and wanting to know what they can do. This isn’t meant to scare anybody whatsoever, but rather to bring people in gently, in a powerful way, into something that is affecting our collective future. To help to signpost and guide on what any normal individual can do.
“We can sometimes feel powerless when overwhelmed by information – how can we begin to grasp the enormity of it all? This play affords you the chance to reflect on the beautiful personal stories it tells; on what it made you think and feel and how you personally will consider the choices that you have and what you are ready to engage with.”
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The Beautiful Future is Coming is at Bristol Old Vic on May 15-June 7; times vary. Tickets are available at www.bristololdvic.org.uk.
The Festival of Nature runs in Bristol and Bath from June 7-15. For more information, visit www.bnhc.org.uk.
Main photo: Michael Wharley; design: Steph Pyne
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