The 47th is a play only describable as a chilling. A chilling memory of what was. And a chilling reminder of what could be. The United States of America is one of the world’s leading superpowers of today but for a land often described as utopic it is riddled with underlying problems; from class gaps to extremist groups, the self-proclaimed American Dream is one that is beginning to fade in the eyes of many. For many they felt the country reached it’s eleventh hour with the election of it’s 45th President. A man with close ties to Russian Oligarchs and a head only for traditionalism, money and sovereignty. With the election of it’s 46th President, America returned to the hands of it’s Democrat Party. The 47th is a play about what would happen if we returned to 2016 and how todays Republican Party threatens to destroy the American Dream once and for all.

              The play begins with a chilling monologue given by Donald Trump – played by Bertie Carvel. Carvel is absolutely lifelike in his portrayal. From the moment the lights come up you are confronted by a man who needs no introduction. You feel that it is undoubtedly him in the room. Each and every actor continues with this level of authenticity. It is difficult not to find yourself a fly on that wall of what you feel is a crucial moment that will impact the rest of the world of years to come. As this fly you follow the story through the collapse of Joe Biden and the rise of Vice President Kamala Harris as she steps into the role of President.

However, at the same time, you are presented with the rise of Ivanka Trump, a foil for the beloved Vice President. She is smart, capable and cunning – and she is everything that her father isn’t. Slowly the story shifts to follow Charlie Takahashi, portrayed by James Cooney, a democrat journalist who is following Trump on his new campaign for president. He is accompanied by his sister, a new Republican who shares the views of many across the nation – that the Democrat Party has let down America. Charlie is taken to a rally at night where he gets to talk to many Republicans about their views and experiences. During this time, you begin to see the danger of extremist conservative groups and the threat that they pose to modern democracy.

 

One of the most important elements highlighted by the play was the depth of the two ruling parties of the US. It is made clear by the Republicans that they understand their role as the villains in most mainstream American news but are adamant that it is much less black and white than that. It is true that today many voters get stuck in their choices. Many people continue to vote for the same parties their parents voted for without considering the individual candidates being put forward in their area or nationally. Those who do try and make informed choices are often unconsciously swayed by news and media outlets that are usually controlled by something much larger.

              As a viewer your role as an audience member appeared to shrink away, dwarfed by the severity of what was our past and what could be a very tangible future. In a numbing scene before the interval, the play confronts you with ghosts of America’s past, including recognisable figures from the storming of the capitol. And again, you cannot help but be transported. From there the world becomes lucid and destructive with rampages, riots and uncontrollable chaos. All through the play Harris’ begs for Trump to call an end to this destruction and again and again he refuses. This is a stark reminder of the kind of danger citizens are put in as countries continue their efforts to retain pointless sovereignty in the wake of a rapidly interconnecting world.

 

              In the final scene Trump is confined to a hospital bed. He is alone. Only Harris is with him. She tells him that no one is coming for him and that no one is willing to pay of the medical care that he needs. For the first time he is put on a level with every other citizen in America. The play ends with his death and yet that is not the end of the story. From the shadow of the ex-president his daughter emerges as a new and even more threatening power. For the entire play the audience pin-points Trump as the major problem, as the fuel that beats the hearts of Republicans all across America. But he is not the evil that needs combating. There are larger problems and they do not end with the death of one man.